Gilbert "Gib" Kleckner

Gilbert (Gib) Clark Kleckner, age 92, from Madison, WI, passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at Brookdale Senior Living Community. His wife, Ann, sons Mike and Dave, daughter in laws Chris and Jennifer were at his side as he passed. He was born on January 12, 1930, in Monroe, WI, the son of Clark and Ruth Kleckner. He married Ann Dearth on May 10, 1952, in Monroe, WI, at St. Victors Catholic Church and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Gib was an Estate Planner with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co for 50 years, where he received national recognition for the service he offered his clients. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed being outside doing yard work, traveling with Ann, hunting, and above all, spending time with his family.

He started Boy Scout Troop 102 at St. Maria Goretti Parish, where over 100 Scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was an NRA Certified Rifle Instructor, where he taught rifle safety education for the Council Merit Badge Program. In 2001, he was recognized by the Four Lakes Council with their highest volunteer award, the Silver Beaver.

In 1990 he started the Badger Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, where the mission is to conserve habitat for wildlife. Since the chapter’s inception over $2 million net has been raised for habitat. Gib was also instrumental with the reintroduction of elk in Northern Wisconsin in 1989. He was nationally recognized with the Chairmans Award at the 2007 National Convention, which is the highest volunteer award given by the organization.

Gib was a very accomplished hunter spending time in the field in many western states as well as Canada, Northwest Territories and Artic Circle. His biggest joy was on the back of horse, where he has logged over 1,000 miles in the saddle. He never missed a Wisconsin whitetail deer opening in over 48 years.

Gib is survived by his wife, Ann Kleckner; his brother, Daryl (Jean) Kleckner; his sons, Mike (Chris) and Dave (Jennifer) Kleckner; daughter-in-law, Deborah Kleckner; grandchildren, James (Veronica), Eric (Tanae), Sarah (Nathan) and Jessica (Dustin Acker) Kleckner; great-grandchildren, Izabella and Wyatt Kleckner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Ruth Kleckner, brother and sister-in-law Kenneth and MaryAnn Kleckner, his son, Steven Kleckner, and close friends Don Seefeldt and Ray Keller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Bart Timmerman presiding. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, on Monday, August 29, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. The Mass will also be live-streamed via the following link: www.youtube.com/c/StThomasAquinasChurchMadison/

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Agrace Hospice Care, 5395 E Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

The family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care provided by Brookdale Senior Living Community Staff and Agrace Hospice. The care and friendship you provided Gib was beyond expectation and will always be remembered.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434