Dennise E. Kluge

MONONA - Dennise Edwin Kluge Sr., age 91, of Monona, Wis., passed away peacefully on Nov. 29, 2022, to join the Lord and the love of his life.  He was born on Oct. 9, 1931, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Kitzy Mrytle (Dickerson) Kluge and Edwin Franklin Kluge. He graduated from East High School in Madison, Wis., and went on to serve his country in the Korean War from 1941-1943. He was very lucky to have his oldest brother, Roger, serving near him in Korea, and was fortunate enough to be able to visit him on the front lines. He was very proud to serve his country and was honored to be a part of the Badger Honor Flight Wisconsin. He never missed an opportunity to fly the American flag, letting it fly for all to see how proud he was to be an American. He returned home from the Korean War with an honorable discharge and met the love of his life at a Valentine’s Day Dance in 1954. He married this beautiful lady, Ruth Elaine Marie Smith, on Aug. 20, 1955. They were blessed with three children, Dennise Edwin Jr., Ronald Frank and Yvonne Marie.

Dennise was a loving, caring and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to play Santa Claus and would dress up and go around the neighborhood making sure all the little kids saw him and then he’d give them a candy cane. Yvonne Marie was shocked one winter night when she looked out the kitchen window and saw her mom kissing Santa under the carport. He loved cutting out and baking Christmas sugar cookies with Ruthie, the kids and the grandchildren. He loved making fresh raspberry pies from his raspberry patch and making grape jelly and juice from his Concord grape vines. These were treats the whole family loved. He had a hobby of and loved doing leatherwork, making billfolds and belts for family and friends, often with Ruthie’s help. His favorite thing to do was go visit his parents and Ruthie’s parents and other family and friends over the weekends. Weekends were filled with trips to the meat market in Jefferson and the apple orchard in the fall, fishing on the Rock River, and visiting.

He worked for Oscar Mayer for a number of years and found his lifetime job with Sub Zero Freezer Co., Inc., and worked there for over 42 years. He was on the loan committee for Sub Zero Credit Union. He was a member of the Local 565 Sheet Metal Union SMWIA (SMART). He retired in 1995.

Ruthie passed away on July 17, 2016, and Dennise was heartbroken. He tried to fill the void by visiting their family and friends. He enjoyed going to the local casino and playing cards. He was very lucky at cards and the casino. He will be missed by all.  

Dennise was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents; father-in-law, Frank John Charles Smith; mother-in-law; Geda Eliviana Anderson Smith; brother; Roger Kluge; sister, Margaret Chamberlin-Andersen; brothers-in-law, Donald Huset, Al Chamberlin, Walter Andersen, Eugene Smith and Harold Stork; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Smith, YungAe Kluge, Kathy Kluge and Sally Kluge; and daughter-in-law, Lauretta Kluge.

He is survived by his children, Dennise Jr., Ronald (Peggy) and Yvonne (Dale) Laube; grandchildren, Scott Kluge, Josh (Jaimie) Kluge, Jeff (Kristin) Kluge, Kristin (Phil) Schwenn, Kaylee Kluge, Jacob (Kris) Laube, Jessica (Erik) Kessler and Emily (Jon) Ziegler; and precious great-grandchildren, Blake, Finley and Maren Kluge, Barrett and Wesley Kluge, Owen and Trevor Schwenn and Willow Kessler and Ezra Ziegler.

We would like to say a special thank you to all those who took such great, wonderful care of our Dad /Grandpa: Cindy from Heritage Assisted Living, Dana from SSM Hospital in Madison, Rose from SSM Palliative Care, Father Pat and Father Chad Droessler, and a truly special thanks to Danielle from Gunderson Funeral Home, who took such good care of our Mom and now our Dad.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, with Father Chad Droessler presiding. A veteran’s salute and flag folding will be conducted, and a luncheon will follow. Private burial will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Denny’s name to IHM Catholic Church or Badger Honor Flight Wisconsin. Online condolences made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420