Richard D Klade

STOUGHTON-Richard D. Klade, age 82, passed away at his home on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017.  He was born on Aug. 12, 1935, the son of Aletta and Theodore Klade.  Richard grew up in Madison where he attended Emerson Elementary School and then later attended Madison East High School.   As a young man, Richard had many loves in his life; among them were cars, motorcycles, roller skating, horses, trains and woodworking.  At the age of 17, Richard decided to join the U.S. Air Force.  This took him to Germany where he served as a “log roller”.  He used to love driving around Germany in his car he called, “The Wonder Car”.  This is also where he met his first wife, Ilse.  They married in 1953, and had their first child, Ingrid in 1954.  In 1956, Richard and Ilse moved back to the U.S., to Wisconsin and Kim was born.  Two years later, in 1958, their son, Rick Jr. was born.  Richard and Ilse ended up divorcing and going their separate ways.  In 1966, Richard and Bev met through their mutual love of horses.  They married and moved to Kentucky where Dick began building horse barns.  They worked together on horse farms and soon after their first daughter, Brenda was born in 1967.  In 1968, they had their second daughter, Teri.  The family moved to Rhode Island and continued working on horse farms until eventually moving back to Madison in 1973.   Richard was an avid woodworker and decided to pursue his passion.  He attended MATC and received his degree in Wood Techniques.  This gave him the tools he needed to start a woodworking business.  Dick and Bev decided to buy a hundred year old home in Stoughton that turned out to be just what they wanted, a fixer-upper with lots of wood to replace.  He loved restoring that house, and the carriage house was the perfect shop for tools and wood!  Dick was in his glory when he was working in that wood shop.  He loved building cabinets and other wood products for friends and family.   Dick started working for Famous Fixtures which took him all over the U.S.  His favorite job was when he was sent to Hawaii; this was a truly enjoyable working/vacation for both he and Bev.  When he retired from Famous Fixtures, it allowed him the free time for working in his own wood shop again, and using his magic hands to create his masterpieces.  Being retired also gave him the time to get ready for the Holidays, his home was always decorated like a toy store at Halloween and Christmas, his two favorite holidays.  Dick and Bev’s home was always filled with love, warmth, good food and laughter, especially when the family would get together.  He loved his family so much. All of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were so fond and loved their “Grandpa Dick”.  The child in him was always present, especially when they were around!  He loved to share his love of trains and race cars with all of them.  His love of Lionel Trains turned his attic into a wonderland of trains.  Each corner of the attic was set up for a different season.  Richard and the grandchildren would spend endless hours playing in the wonderland.  Collin and Martel loved to prank their grandpa when he’d go downstairs by moving around the displays and would giggle and act like nothing happened when grandpa would return, “Grandpa must be so confused!”   Grandpa Dick also helped his two grandchildren, Lily and Kris get over their fear of cats.  Although he loved all animals, “Bob Klade” was his favorite cat.  When Lily and Chris were visiting, grandpa would help them pet Bob Klade and teach them how to get Bob to play with them.   Richard was so gifted with his hands.  He could touch any piece of material and turn it into something beautiful.  Even with stone, which he turned into a three tier Koi pond.  Bev and Dick enjoyed many evenings in their backyard enjoying his handiwork.  He also enjoyed gardening, both vegetables and flowers.  This year his favorite flowers where his Dahlia’s. Two years ago Dick discovered the Harry Potter festivals.  Bingo!  A whole new avenue for the kid in him to come out.  He watched all of the Harry Potter movies so he could craft the magic wands.  Ahhh!  A new wooden wonder to produce, thus starting a whole new chapter in his life of woodworking.   Unfortunately, at the age of 82 years young, Richard left us unexpectedly, and way too soon.  He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  We love you Kaddy Wumpus, the nickel chewer.   You will be missed tremendously and will always be with us in our hearts and memories.   Richard is survived by his wife of 51 loving years, Beverly; children, Ingrid Klade, Kim (Don) Holman, Rick (Wendy) Klade Jr.; Brenda Klade and Teri Klade; brothers, Theodore and David (Karen); sisters, Kathryn Hustad, Delores Lavin and Ann Brewer; his grandchildren, Justin, Jason, Sara and Lauren; great-grandchildren, Collin, Martell, Lily and Kris; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lorean Ethun and Gerry Klade; sisters, Alice Askey and Pam Stender; sister-in-law, Lois Klade; and nephew, David Charles Klade Jr.   Graveside services with military honors will be held at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK, 401 Femrite Dr., Monona, on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, at 1 p.m., with a luncheon to follow at the STOUGHTON VFW.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.