Joseph "Joe" Klein

Joseph F. Klein, 96, De Pere, passed away Saturday, March 23, at the Jack and Engrid Meng Residence (Unity Hospice) with his family by his side. Joe was born on July 31, 1916 to the late Frank and Eva (Patzel) Klein. He graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic School, West High School, and Marquette University. Joe married his High School sweetheart, Beatrice, on August 30, 1941 and they enjoyed over 71 years together. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942 and served during WWII in the Solomon Islands as part of the 18th Photo Mapping Squadron. In 1945 he started his career as chief clerk of the Selective Services Board in Brown County, then Registration Officer for the Veteran’s Administration, and in 1946 he began in the Brown County Veteran’s Service Office as the Veteran’s Service Officer for 41 years retiring at the age of 70. As Veteran’s Service Officer, Joe would get calls day or night from veterans and veteran’s families who were having a problem, had no where to live, died without a family, needed hospital services or other benefits. He would do whatever he could even taking a veteran wherever they needed to go to get services. Joe was a member of the American Legion, DAV, VFW, Amvets, Forty and Eight, Retired Service Officers’ Group, head of the Rehab Committee for the American Legion, on the Committee for the Veteran’s Home at King, and served for many years on the Governor’s Advisory Board for Veteran’s Affairs. He lobbied and helped pass Bills that supported Veterans in both the U.S. Congress and the WI State Legislature. Joe was awarded the Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs in 2009. He was also a member of the Geology Club, Heritage Hill, on the Visiting Nurses Board, and was a member of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) receiving an exemplary citation for his service. Joe enjoyed being a rock hound and doing lapidary work. He and Bea traveled to many interesting places. He was a devoted and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather attending numerous school and family events even in his later years. He is survived by his loving wife, Beatrice, two daughters, Toni Etter (John Mongeau) De Pere; Mary Jo (Richard) Ostrowski, Egg Harbor; seven grandchildren, Julie (William) Mui, Jennifer (Chien) Goh, Heidi (Ben) Bloom, Hennah (Jeff) Fair, John Mongeau, Jr., Katie (Tyson) Biwer, and Krystal Ostrowski; seven great-grandchilden, Michael Schultz, Jacob Schultz, Grace Goh, Jeffrey Fair, Jr., Jack Mui, Clifford Mui, and Joe Mui. Sister-in-laws; Lois Doede and Beverly Ashley; a niece and nephews; special friends, Dick and Karen Ambrose. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Ben (Ida Hoffman) Ziebarth, Tony Hoffman; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Robert (Betty) Klein, John (Jean) Klein; a sister, Mary (Ambrose) Kern; brothers-in-laws, James Ashley, Orvin Doede; a nephew, Mike Klein; son-in-law, Robert Etter, Jr. Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave, De Pere, on SATURDAY, March 30 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm. A parish prayer service will be held at 5:30pm Saturday evening. Visitation will continue on MONDAY, April 1, from 10:00am until the hour of Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am MONDAY, with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Entombment in Allouez Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. Special thank you to all those who cared for Dad on his recent journey; Bellin Hospital, Astor Terrace, Dr. Richards and staff, HomeInstead caregivers, Unity Hospice and the Jack and Engrid Meng Residence. A memorial fund has been established for the Heart Association and Cancer Research.

Visitation:
Monday, April 1, 2013 10:00 AM

Service:
Monday, April 1, 2013 11:00 AM