John Klement

Klement, John E. MADISON/FORT ATKINSON- Our beloved husband, Dad and Grandpa, John E. Klement, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare. John lived a life filled with passion for his work, loyalty to his friends and community, and immense love for his family. John was born and raised in Fort Atkinson, the son of Elmore and Ella Klement. He graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1944 as a three-sport athlete. John attended Ripon College, majoring in engineering before enlisting in the U.S. Army and serving in World War II. While in Europe, as a first lieutenant, John took on a position of administration of athletics for the thousands of troops stationed there. He became active in organizing sporting events, specifically track meets, and found that he loved working with athletes and athletic administration. After the war ended, he attended and played football at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1947-1950) and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Because of his experience in Europe, he switched his major to athletic administration and received his bachelor's degree in physical education. A career was born and a wonderful journey began. Following graduation from the UW, John met his lifelong love, Audrey Langetieg. Shortly after their marriage in 1950, John was recalled to active duty in Korea. While in Korea, John achieved the rank of Captain, earning several commendations, including the Bronze Star. Upon return to the U.S., John finished his master’s degree in Athletic Administration at the UW. He remained a lifelong Badgers fan, holding season football tickets for more than 50 years. He was a member of the National W Club, serving as president in 1979-80, and continued to volunteer with Bucky's Ambassadors well into his seventies. John's career in teaching and high school athletics began in 1953 at Mauston High School, where he served as teacher, coach and athletic director. In 1955, he accepted a job at the brand new Monona Grove School District, as the school's new athletic director before construction on the new school was completed. He oversaw the creation of the school's athletic facilities to become one of the state's finest. From that moment, John began to build what would become one of the most respected athletic programs in the state. John coached football for seven years and track for 30 years, and served as athletic director for 33 years. His first love was track, and he was very proud that Monona Grove hosted the state track meet for several years, with John as the meet director. John's track teams won three state championships during his career. As a coach he also won numerous sectional, regional and conference titles in football, wrestling and track. John was instrumental in the selection of Monona Grove for the filming of a National Federation Track and Field rules film, serving as the technical advisor. He organized, escorted and coached a team of Wisconsin and Illinois all-star high school track athletes, taking them to Germany to compete against the Bayer Uerdingen, Germany track club, as well as hosting them here in Wisconsin. John felt one of his greatest accomplishments was organizing and conducting the first statewide all girls invitational track meet in Wisconsin. He was also very proud of his successful summer youth track program, which included directing the annual regional Jaycee junior track meet. John's influence reached well beyond Monona Grove. He was Badger Conference commissioner and officiating schedule coordinator for 39 years and also helped organize and acted as the first commissioner for the Badgerland Hockey Conference. John also served with the WIAA as its first athletic director representative. He organized and directed Wisconsin's largest indoor track and field meet for high school athletes (Wisconsin Track and Field Association) for more than 40 years. In 1960, he created the Monona Grove Invitational Track Meet, inviting teams from throughout Wisconsin to compete at one of the premier track events in the state. John was the General Manager and Vice President of the Madison Mustangs semi-pro football team for seven years. He officiated high school football, basketball, volleyball and track and field for almost 40 years and officiated Big Ten track meets and Badger varsity reserve games in the 70's. John was also involved in the Wisconsin Special Olympics where he helped to set up training programs to certify Special Olympic coaches around Wisconsin. He enjoyed it so much he even brought his own equipment and crew to lead drills after the training programs and added Special Olympic events to the Monona Grove Invitational. John was also a longtime member of the Monona Lions Club and Lake Edge United Church of Christ in Madison. Over the course of John's career, he received countless awards and recognition. Some of them include the National Federation Citation for Outstanding Service to Interscholastic Athletics, induction into the Wisconsin Track Coaches Hall of Fame, Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA) Hall of Fame, and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Hall of Fame. Other awards include Madison area "Mr. Olympics," Wisconsin Athletic Director of the Year, Madison Area Sportsman of the Year, and Monona Jaycee Educator of the Year. He served as President of several organizations including the Wisconsin Track Club, Winged Foot Club, National W Club, WADA and the NIAAA. In 1991, he was humbled when the Monona Grove High School athletic fields were renamed in his honor as the John Klement Athletic Complex. Dad's professional accomplishments were numerous, but we will remember Dad most for being thoughtful, generous, humble, smart, funny and kind. He was always positive, giving, and never said a bad word about anyone. As important as his career was to Dad, his family was always considered his finest accomplishment. He loved "Aud," his wife of almost 64 years and the home they shared for 50 of those years. He loved weekly dinners with the family, either at home or at one of the local spots. He loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He loved the annual family vacations to Eagle River and St. Germain, which gave us memories that will last a lifetime. John is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Audrey; his four children, Debbie (Ed) Slotten, Julie (John) Bailey, Sue (Mike) Ales and Tom (Kitty) Klement; his six grandchildren, John Bailey, Lisa and Scott Slotten, Tony Ales, and T.J. and Kelli Klement. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Crane of Fort Atkinson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmore and Ella Klement; his in-laws, Sig and Sadie Langetieg; nephew, Jason Langetieg; brother-in-law, Wade Crane; and numerous students and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at MONONA GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, 4400 Monona Drive, Monona, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, July 26, 2014, with Pastor Lex Liberatore of Lake Edge UCC, Madison, officiating. Military honors will follow at the John Klement Athletic Complex track. Visitation will also be held at the High School from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2014 and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the John Klement Scholarship Fund, c/o MGEF, 4400 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716. Dad, you competed until the very end and even took it into overtime. As you stated when you delivered the M.G. commencement address in 1988, "you've run a good race." Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420