Estelle R. Klemp

Estelle R. Klemp, age 95, of Merrill, peacefully passed away in her sleep on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence while under the care of Compassus Hospice.

She was born on July 1, 1929, in Galloway, WI to the late Otis and Lorna (Bestul) Anderson. The family lived in Idaho for 2 years before they returned to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in the Town of Harding. She attended a one-room school in the country, then graduated from Merrill Sr. High School.

Estelle married Lyle Klemp in Merrill, WI in 1948, and they had 3 children; Mary (Rick) King, Rothschild; Robert (deceased); Zona (Joel) Lemanski, Marathon, WI. Estelle had 4 grandchildren: Tracy (Jason Steele) King, Jonathan (Nikki) Lemanski, Michael (Ashley) Lemanski, and Sarah (fiancée Sam Bougie) Lemanski, Appleton, WI. She also had 2 grand-dogs: Max and Roscoe and great-granddogs, Mac and Otis.

Estelle worked at the Hanson Glove Factory for several years and became a stay-at-home mom when the kids came along. She loved to sew and made many outfits for her growing family (we have the pictures!) and later she did sewing and alterations from home for the Corner Shop in Merrill. Her sewing skills were amazing and she had a talent for making the most difficult clothing alterations look easy. Her last job was doing ad lay-out for the Merrill Shoppers Guide/Foto News. She loved to bake pies (they were the best!) There was always something good baking in the oven. Estelle was an avid reader, and enjoyed reading books and magazines about history, as well as western stories and of course, the Ladies Home Journal and the Readers Digest! She was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill, WI.

Lyle and Estelle were ‘snowbirds’ to Mesa, AZ for many years and eventually became full-time residents. Estelle moved back to WI to Bell tower Residence to be closer to her brothers, sisters-in-law and many other family members.

We always said she was the ‘fun mom’ who put ice cream on hot cereal in the winter (“It’s just like milk”) and made popcorn or chips and dip with chocolate malts in the hot summer when dad was at work at the fire station (“It’s too hot to heat up the stove”). There were always homemade cookies!

Estelle was always cheerful, happy, and had a smile for everyone right up to the end. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Estelle is survived by her two daughters, Mary and Zona; brothers, Roger Anderson and Marvin (Mary) Anderson, and sister-in-law, Halena Anderson and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lyle, son Robert, sisters Joyce (Harlan) Baumgartner, Beulah Gorman, and brother, Lyle Anderson.

The funeral service for Estelle will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Waid Funeral Home in Merrill. Chaplain John Bourke and Rev. Justin Smoot will co-officiate. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service, also at the funeral home. Entombment at Merrill Memorial Park will immediately follow the service.

The service will be recorded for those unable to attend in person and will be posted under her obituary on the funeral home website.

A gathering to remember Estelle will be held at a later date at Bell Tower Residence.

There are no words to express our love and thanks to all the staff at Bell Tower who have cared about and cared for Mom over the past nearly 10 years. They all are an amazing group for which caring and compassion know no bounds. We would also like to express our deep appreciation and thanks to the staff at Compassus Hospice who have cared for Mom over the past couple of months. Your support and compassion are treasured. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Estelle’s name to either the Lincoln County Humane Society or Bell Tower Residence.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.