Stewart Klitzman

Klitzman, Stewart Arnold MADISON Stewart Arnold "Steve" Klitzman, age 86, of Madison, died at home on Saturday, April 5, 2008. He was born on Oct. 16, 1921, in Marshall, the son of August and May Klitzman. The family moved to Madison before Stewart was of school age. They settled on the west side of Madison in the Greenbush area, where he spent the next years of his life, graduating from West High School in 1941. Stewart was a sergeant in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to a medical unit whose mission was to establish and maintain a field hospital in the war zone. They arrived first in England and a few days after the Normandy Invasion, were shipped to France, and later to Belgium. As a sanitary technician, Stewarts duties included supervising and maintaining sanitary conditions. He married Mary McKenna in 1946, in the rectory of St. Raphael, Madison. They made their home on the east side of Madison, where they raised their five children. In his 24 years, at Oscar Mayer, Stewart worked his way up from night crew cleanup to foreman, a position he truly enjoyed. During his employment there, he somehow became known as Steve, a name that stayed with him the rest of his life. Stewart earned the respect and friendship of all the people with whom he worked. Stewart was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, whose family always came first. He was a deeply religious man that gave back to his church in many ways. For recreation, Stewart enjoyed hunting, fishing, and a good game of poker. His travels included trips to Las Vegas and Ireland. There were also many family vacations to the McKenna ranches in South Dakota, where Mary was raised. Survivors include Stewarts wife of 61 years, Mary; children, Nancy (Ed) Hoesly of New Glarus, Sue (Doug) Lefeber, and Patrick, all of Madison; grandchildren, Nicole (Jeff) Johnston of Dodgeville, and Greg and Griffin Lefeber of Madison; great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Lindsay, and Carter Johnston of Dodgeville; sister, Irma Zermuhlen of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Betty Klitzman; special niece, Judy (Rudy) Peterson of Baraboo; and other nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, August and May Klitzman; sons, Daniel and James; sister and brother-in-law, Wilma and Harold Winter; and brother, Russell Klitzman. At his request, Stewarts body has been donated to the UW School of Medicine. A Memorial Mass will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2008, with Father John Meinholz presiding. We will honor Stewart with full military rites outside the church immediately following Mass. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2008, and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, Immaculate Heart of Mary Endowment Fund or charity of the donors choice. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Amy Kind of the Veterans Administration Hospital, and the staff of HospiceCare for their compassionate care and support.