Shannon Kathleen Kleinmaier

Madison -- Shannon K. Kleinmaier, age 38, passed away with her family by her side on Sunday, June 7, 2009 at the HospiceCare Facility in Fitchburg following a two year battle with colon cancer.   She was born on December 20, 1970 in Manitowoc, WI, the daughter of Ron Balzan and Kathy Nemec.   Shannon graduated from the UW-Madison in December of 1993.   She was united in marriage to Stephen Bryan Kleinmaier on December 2, 1995 in Las Vegas.   In May of 1999, Shannon graduated with a master's degree in business from the UW-Whitewater.   On December 14, 2001 their first child was born and Shannon from that point forward became a stay at home mom.   Her greatest happiness was being a mother to her three children. She enjoyed reading not only for herself but to her children.   Shannon also enjoyed working on art projects with them.   As a family they would make frequent trips to the zoo. Most of all she just loved being a mom. Shannon is survived by her loving husband, Bryan Kleinmaier of Madison; two children, Sam and Allie Kleinmaier of Madison; her mother, Kathy Balzan of Sturgeon Bay; her father, Ron (Mary) Balzan of Manitowoc; and a brother, Ron Balzan of New York.   She is also survived by other loving relatives and friends.   Shannon was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Emily on April 15, 2004. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2131 Rowley Ave., on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Pat Norris, O.P. officiating.   A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., on Wednesday, June10, 2009 from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Shannon to the HospiceCare Facility, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, UW-Comprehensive Cancer Clinic Attn: UW Hospital, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792-8352 or to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2131 Rowley Ave., Madison, WI 53705.   The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Mary's Hospital, the Dean Clinic, UW-Hospital and Clinics, and HospiceCare Facility for their wonderful care. Shannon, you'll be in our hearts forever.   We love you.