Jerome “Jerry” “Red” F. Kleutsch

1945-2020

Jerome “Jerry” “Red” Francis Kleutsch, 74, of the town of Chelsea, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 at Aspirus Medford Hospital. A visitation will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 9-11 a.m. at Holy Rosary Parish until the time of the memorial mass at the church. Father Patrick McConnell will be officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Lehmann-Clendenning American Legion Post No. 0274 and two representatives from the U.S. Air Force. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Chelsea Community Cemetery.

Jerry was born in Medford on Friday, Oct. 12, 1945 to Alban P. and Louise M. (Gasek) Kleutsch. The family lived in the town of Molitor, where Jerry attended Pine Tree Elementary School. He was a 1963 graduate of Medford High School. After graduation Jerry was employed in a factory in Burlington until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in October of 1965. He proudly served his country until 1969. Jerry came back to Wisconsin, settling in Eau Claire, where he was employed with the Presto Company.

Jerry met his future wife, Kathleen Mayer, at the old Tombstone Tap. The couple dated for a few years and then were married at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea on June 23, 1973. The couple lived in Medford, and then in 1975, moved to Chelsea where they have lived ever since. Jerry was employed at Weather Shield, Maple Island and at Hurd Manufacturing. He was a member of Holy Rosary Parish, Lehmann-Clendenning American Legion Post No. 0274 in Rib Lake, National Rifle Association, Chelsea Conservation Club and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local No. 1025. Jerry was a past member of the Medford Softball League, the 35 and over softball league and a couple’s softball league and bowling league.

Jerry loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing for musky and sturgeon, turkey hunting, bow and rifle deer hunting and bear hunting. He also enjoyed spending time at his dad’s cabin and his brother Doug’s home in Winter and at his sister and brotherin- law’s cabin on Perch Lake. His family will always remember him saying, “Bonejarly”!

Jerry will be dearly missed by his wife, Kathy; three brothers and four sisters, Douglas (Teresa) Kleutsch of Winter, Pat (Ron) Kasparec and Cris Siewerth, all of Las Vegas, Nev., Mercedes (Jerry) Gerber of Rice Lake, Daniel (Lynn) Kleutsch of Kenosha, Andrea (Mike) Mongeau of Eagles Nest, N.M., Tony (Betty) Kleutsch of Brule; and his father-in-law, Charles Mayer of Chelsea. Also surviving are 24 nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Alban and Louise Kleutsch; one brother, Bruce Kleutsch; brother-in-law, Roger Siewerth; and his mother-inlaw, Ann Mayer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Jerry may be given to the family.

Hildebrand Funeral Home and Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501, 715-365-4343, assisted the family with arrangements. You are invited to light a candle, sign the guestbook, leave a photo or an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.

Paid Obituary 83922