George Klingbeil

Madison - George Carl Klingbeil, age 93, passed on to eternal life on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. He was a man who lived his life with optimism and gratitude. He valued the precious gift of life from his Creator and saw beauty in nature and in all things. He loved to garden, hunt, fish, make woodcarvings, watch birds and was an enthusiastic Badger fan. He lived his life humbly and was eager to share his passions and knowledge. George was born on May 7, 1918, to Carl A. and Elsie W. (Hebbe) Klingbeil in Westfield, WI, Marquette County. He spent his boyhood on a small farm in Westfield, graduated from Westfield High School in 1936 and continued his schooling to obtain his Wisconsin State Teachers Certificate. He taught K-8 in one room rural schools in Oakdale and Little Mecan school districts. At age 23, George was drafted into the U.S. Army. After completing Officers Candidate School, George was commissioned as second lieutenant and was assigned to the 37th Tank Battalion 4th Armored Division under Creighton Abrams and George Patton. He served in the European Theater of WWII, participating in five major campaigns including Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland and Central Europe. George earned the Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was separated from the service in December 1945 with the rank of Captain. On April 28, 1946, George was united in marriage to Mary Etta Hamilton. He continued his education at Michigan State University, earning his Bachelors degree in Horticulture and Masters Degree in Fruit Production. In 1950, George became an Assistant Professor of Horticulture at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. In 1953, he and Mary returned to the Badger State where he joined the staff of the UW-Madison Horticulture Department as an Extension Fruit Specialist. George had the pleasure of working with the cranberry, strawberry, apple and small fruit growers in the state of Wisconsin. He authored several publications on fruit production and marketing including cranberries, grapes, raspberries and strawberries. He served as Secretary and Education Director of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society and the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association. In 1978, George retired after 25 years with the University and was awarded Emeritus Professor status. After retirement, George was a consultant to the J.W. Jung Seed Co. of Randolph, WI, and authored several "how to" publications. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, VFW Westfield Post 8718, Cuba Kids, The Old Friends Group, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Alpha Zeta and the American Pomological Society.

George is survived by three daughters, Susan J. Niebauer (Thomas) of Oregon, WI, Loree A. Flad (Michael) of St. Louis, MO and Ellen M. Steinhauer (Thomas) of Madison; eight grandchildren, Sarah Wellcome (Daniel), Rebecca McDermid (Michael), Christopher Niebauer (fianc� Megan Wagner); Allison and Elizabeth Flad; Nancy Platta (Christopher), Andrew and Brian Steinhauer; three great-grandsons, Collin Wellcome, Nolan McDermid and Mason Platta; a sister, Grace Galetsky of Bowie Maryland, sisters-in-law Irma Hamilton, Sarah Spitzer, Jessie Van Gilst and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, his wife Mary and brother Gerald preceded him in death. The family extends heartfelt thanks to his care giving staff of many years: Dave Comello, Penny Seaberg, Mary Celani, Jerry and Judy Buser.

A celebration of George's life will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 12 noon at COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 202 S. Segoe Road, Madison 53705, with Pastor Deb Lind-Schmitz officiating.

Memorials can be made in George's memory to the Marquette County Historical Society, PO Box 172 Westfield, WI 53949, Covenant Presbyterian Church or the UW Foundation-Lakeshore Nature Preserve Fund, US Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278.