Earl Thomas Klep

Earl Thomas Klep, Prentice, Wisconsin, died peacefully in Ministry St Joseph’s Hospital on April 13 in Marshfield WI at the age of 88.
Earl is survived by his wife , Marjorie Klep; children, Catherine Waskowski (Ted Waskowski) of Oregon WI, Suzanne Brenner (Michael Brenner) of Eagan MN, Jane Klep of Rockford IL; grandchildren, Adam Waskowski (Lori ), David Waskowski (Dana), Charles Brenner, Margaret Jacot (Logan Jacot), Paul Brenner (Mary ) and three great grandchildren Nora Jacot, Noelle Jacot and Alexis Waskowski. Preceded in death by parents Ole and Jennie Klep, sIsters Pearl Asp , Agnes Kirchmeier , and Thelma Wickstrom and brothers Thomas Klep, Milton Klep, and Donald Klep.
Earl was born on March 10, 1927 in Prentice WI to Ole and Jenny Klep. Earl’s family lived in town and then on a farm on Chicago Avenue in Prentice. He attended Lone Corner School (one room)where his sister was his teacher. He graduated early from Prentice High School in 1944, to join the US Navy during WWII .He attended Northland College in Ashland WI before moving to Chicago to start a career in carpentry. He was an accomplished independent carpenter/contractor in the Chicago area for 35 years .He married Marjorie Nelson, who was his childhood neighbor in Prentice, on April 9, 1949. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary last week in the hospital but among family and wonderful hospital staff. Earl built two homes for his family, one in Palatine IL and one in retirement on Solberg Lake in Phillips, Wi. They moved back to their home town of Prentice, WI for their final retirement years.
He had a creative and independent soul with a ”can-do” spirit of optimism that served him to the end. He was an accomplished singer and often sang solos at Prentice events, and in the PrenticeQuartet and when his daughters played piano. He enjoyed gardening and landscaping, golf and was a deer hunter, bird hunter, and nature lover all his life.
A funeral is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Saturday April 18 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Phillips.
Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 12:00 Noon until the time of services The family would like to thank Pleasant View Nursing Home caregivers in Phillips and the palliative care staff and nursing staff at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield for their kind efforts, dedication and care.
Memorials received will be sent by the family to the following organizations in Earl’s name.
-The Selma Hagg Scholarship Fund, given to support students in the arts, music, and forensics at Prentice High School (to reflect the Klep family's interest, past and present, in these areas.)
-The Feed my People Food Bank
- The Special Olympics Fund
Online condolences may be expressed at www.heindlfuneralhome.com
The Heindl Funeral Home in Prentice is assisting the family with funeral arrangements