William J. Klaske

William Joseph “Bill” Klaske was born on October 14, 1941, and passed into eternal life on October 7, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father, Peter Klaske, and his mother, Elvina Boyd. He is survived by his sister, Myrtle Roth; his wife of nearly 60 years, Karen Howell Klaske; and his children Renee (John) Klaske Wiesner of Aurora, Illinois, Brent (Denise) Klaske of Rossville, Kansas, Stephen Klaske of Harrison, Idaho, and Jason (Anne Marie) Klaske of Harrison, Idaho. Bill also leaves behind 26 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, one of whom he met – joyfully – just two days before he died. Bill was born in New Berlin, Wisconsin and grew up and went to high school in Delavan, Wisconsin, where it’s said he still holds some sports records to this day. He served in the US Army from 1960 to 1963. While in the service, he worked as a large equipment engineer, and continued his sporting excellence by playing football, basketball and baseball. He married Karen in 1966 and began working as a salesman for the Gillette Safety Razor company shortly thereafter. A proud Gillette man, he remained with the company until his retirement in 2000, making regular business trips to cities and sporting events across the country. During this time, he and Karen raised their four children, and his devotion shone through in their creation of a loving family. His sporting nature and outgoing disposition fed a lifetime of hobbies and expanding social connection. For decades, Bill made annual plane trips to Canadian lakes to fish for prized walleye and northern pike, always with an assortment of friends and family. Later on, he began riding a Harley, a pursuit which led him to make another group of dear friends and once again took him all over the country. His success as a salesman, a father, and a friend demonstrates that Bill was gregarious and warm, with an innate skill at connecting with people – traits that will be attested to by all who knew and loved him. Bill loved his family, was never judgmental, was always kind, made great pancakes, and grilled masterfully. He was a quiet but strong Catholic who lived by his faith. He was a helper of all people with any need, a hard worker, and a lover of the open road, boat days and shore lunches. He will be missed by so many. A visitation will be held at St George Byzantine Catholic Church (720 Rural St, Aurora, IL 60505) on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 from 4-7PM. The following day on Wednesday, October 15th, the funeral service will be held at St. Mary Roman Catholic Oratory (517 Elm St, Rockford, IL 61102) at 11:00AM. The burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery (8616 W State Rd, Winnebago, IL 61088) with full military honors. Arrangements entrusted to The Daleiden Mortuary (220 North Lake Street, Aurora, IL 60506). In the last year of his life, Bill found tremendous joy by attending ESSE Adult Day Services in Aurora. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to this remarkable organization. Donations can be made at the following link: http://www.esseadultdaycare.org/donate.html

William J. Klaske

October 14, 1941 - October 7, 2025