Rowe Klade

Rowe O. Klade, 75, of Merrill, died Friday, June 27, 2014, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, surrounded by family and friends, following a brief, courageous battle with lung cancer. Rowe was born March 27, 1939, in Tomahawk, the son of the late Fred and Mildred (Plautz) Klade. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1957. Rowe married Annette (Karau) at St. Stephen's Church in Merrill on May 6, 1961. She survives. After high school Rowe enlisted in the National Guard. He worked for Curtain Wall and Page Milk Company. In 1961 he was called to active duty as a SP5 with the 32nd Infantry, Red Arrow Division, Co. A 1/105th Armor Division as a tank driver in Fort Lewis, Washington, during the Berlin Crisis. He was honorably discharged in1963. After returning from the service, he was employed at Marathon Electric for 20 years. He then went on to work for WCA Industries and SGS Environmental Services until his retirement in 2001.

Rowe was an avid Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packer fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing year round, deer and turkey hunting, golfing, camping at Solberg Lake County Park, and raising beef on his farm for the past 47 years. He spent 16 winters in Kearny, Arizona, where he enjoyed golfing and had many good friends. He also enjoyed daily coffee and conversation with "the boys". Rowe is survived by his wife, Annette; four children, Calvin (Angela), Barry (Mary Jo), Stacy (Scott) Pettit, all of Merrill, Robin (Melissa), Wausau. Eleven grandchildren, Adam (Courtney), Austin, Lora, Jacob, Lucas, Katie, Tanner, Morgan, Kendyl, Trevor, and Travis; four sisters, Mary Ann (Ernest) Weisskopf, Helen (Everett) Lange, Sandy Euler, and Ida Schult. He is preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers, Roger, Fred Jr., Richard, Dennis, Tom, Bill, and Doyle; and two sisters, Donna Brown, and infant Faye.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 2nd, at 11 am at Bible Presbyterian Church, Merrill. Pastor Robert Smallman will officiate. Visitation will be held 3-8 pm Tuesday, July 1st at Waid Funeral Home, and again at the church from 10 am until the time of the service. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetary following the service. Family and friends attending the service are invited to a light luncheon at the Town of Merrill Community Center following the burial. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Rowe's name to the Wounded Warrior Project or Never Forgotten Honor Flight.

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Visitation
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Visitation
Wednesday, July 2, 2014

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