Obituary for June Mable Kleinschmidt
June M. Kleinschmidt, age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, January 7, 2022. She was born on a farm outside of Winneconne, WI on February 28, 1934, to the late Herbert and Linda (Drews) Bruss. She attended Winneconne schools through the 8th grade, and at the age of 14 went to work for C. H. Miller Company in Winneconne. She worked there as a nanny, housekeeper and in the furniture store for 4 years. June married Richard J. Kleinschmidt of Omro on June 14, 1952. They moved to Oshkosh into a cold-water flat on Ceape Street. June began working at Oshkosh B’gosh in July and was employed there for 3 years, followed by 9 months at Newburger’s Clothing Factory. While raising her 3 children Scott, Peggy and Wendy, she worked for Miles Kimball Company, was a seamstress out of her home, sang at weddings and funerals, and raised and sold dachshund puppies. Following the birth of her third child, June waitressed at the Elks Club, and then at Robin’s Supper Club. Beginning in 1969 she worked in Oshkosh School Food Service where she kept an eye on her children as they progressed through their education, especially the high school years. For 21 years she enjoyed being around all the students and made many life-long friends.
In 1956 June and Richard moved into the home they designed and built in the Town of Algoma, where they lived for 64 years. Their home was a place of joy and love, and always open to family & friends. After-school visits, sleep-overs for the grandkids, and her legendary full-weekend celebrations for Easter & Christmas always started with a big hug and a stop in the kitchen for buns, doughnuts, coffee cake, or ham salad sandwiches. June’s hospitality was cherished throughout their friend groups. June and Richard hosted their beloved monthly snowmobile/camping/social club meetings for over 30 years. Whether visiting for an evening or sometimes a full week’s stay, friends would gather for food, sheepshead, and old fashioneds. June was artistic and hardworking. She taught herself how to refinish, upholster and cane furniture. She decorated and redecorated her house often, filling it with her own rosemaled items and hand-painted ceramics. An accomplished seamstress and gardener, June supplied most of her household’s clothing and food from fresh to home-canned produce; her sauerkraut is a family favorite. June had a strong faith and love for her Lord. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, attended Bible studies, and cooked & served at funerals.
While she worked hard, June also understood the importance of family and leisure time. June and Richard inspired a love for travel in their children and grandchildren by taking them camping virtually everywhere in Wisconsin and throughout the US. They visited every state and enjoyed many trips overseas and cruises with friends. They also placed a high value on setting aside dedicated quality family time. The tradition they started of an annual week-long cabin trip to the Chain O’Lakes in Waupaca, WI, has continued for over 25 years and has expanded to more cabins as their family grew with more grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
June was a creative, resourceful and tenacious example for her family and instilled in them a do-it-yourself mentality which permeates almost everything they do to this day. She made every in-law feel like one of her own children. Her grandchildren say she was everything you could want in a Nana. June lives on in Wendy’s love of music and singing, in Peggy’s love of painting and gardening and in Scott’s love of sports-----especially her beloved Green Bay Packers!! While she will be missed, the love that she planted in their hearts will continue to grow forever.
June is survived by her children: Scott (Mary) Kleinschmidt, Peggy (Brian) Hayman and Wendy (Russell) Potratz; grandchildren: Dan Kleinschmidt, Peter (Sarah Scallon) Kleinschmidt, Emily (Jeff) Latham, Molly (Matt Blakely) Hayman, Zak (Kate) Potratz, Madisen Potratz, Jack (Janee) Wolf and Coral (Alex Wegman) Wolf; and great-grandchildren: August and Milo Kleinschmidt, Cedar Latham, Theo Potratz, Maple, Addy, and Henry Wolf. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; five sisters, and one brother.
A celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Oakwood Manor for the loving care they provided to June for the past 9 months.
Please share your memories of June at www.seefeldfuneral.com.
In 1956 June and Richard moved into the home they designed and built in the Town of Algoma, where they lived for 64 years. Their home was a place of joy and love, and always open to family & friends. After-school visits, sleep-overs for the grandkids, and her legendary full-weekend celebrations for Easter & Christmas always started with a big hug and a stop in the kitchen for buns, doughnuts, coffee cake, or ham salad sandwiches. June’s hospitality was cherished throughout their friend groups. June and Richard hosted their beloved monthly snowmobile/camping/social club meetings for over 30 years. Whether visiting for an evening or sometimes a full week’s stay, friends would gather for food, sheepshead, and old fashioneds. June was artistic and hardworking. She taught herself how to refinish, upholster and cane furniture. She decorated and redecorated her house often, filling it with her own rosemaled items and hand-painted ceramics. An accomplished seamstress and gardener, June supplied most of her household’s clothing and food from fresh to home-canned produce; her sauerkraut is a family favorite. June had a strong faith and love for her Lord. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, attended Bible studies, and cooked & served at funerals.
While she worked hard, June also understood the importance of family and leisure time. June and Richard inspired a love for travel in their children and grandchildren by taking them camping virtually everywhere in Wisconsin and throughout the US. They visited every state and enjoyed many trips overseas and cruises with friends. They also placed a high value on setting aside dedicated quality family time. The tradition they started of an annual week-long cabin trip to the Chain O’Lakes in Waupaca, WI, has continued for over 25 years and has expanded to more cabins as their family grew with more grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
June was a creative, resourceful and tenacious example for her family and instilled in them a do-it-yourself mentality which permeates almost everything they do to this day. She made every in-law feel like one of her own children. Her grandchildren say she was everything you could want in a Nana. June lives on in Wendy’s love of music and singing, in Peggy’s love of painting and gardening and in Scott’s love of sports-----especially her beloved Green Bay Packers!! While she will be missed, the love that she planted in their hearts will continue to grow forever.
June is survived by her children: Scott (Mary) Kleinschmidt, Peggy (Brian) Hayman and Wendy (Russell) Potratz; grandchildren: Dan Kleinschmidt, Peter (Sarah Scallon) Kleinschmidt, Emily (Jeff) Latham, Molly (Matt Blakely) Hayman, Zak (Kate) Potratz, Madisen Potratz, Jack (Janee) Wolf and Coral (Alex Wegman) Wolf; and great-grandchildren: August and Milo Kleinschmidt, Cedar Latham, Theo Potratz, Maple, Addy, and Henry Wolf. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; five sisters, and one brother.
A celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff at Oakwood Manor for the loving care they provided to June for the past 9 months.
Please share your memories of June at www.seefeldfuneral.com.