Leonard J. Klappauf

Service Details

Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (6400 Spring Street) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 

The celebration of his life and funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. 

Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia at a later date. 

To view Leonard’s Funeral Mass via Facebook please click on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=st%20paul%20the%20apostle%20catholic%20church%20racine

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. Monica’s Staff Development Fund or the St. Monica’s Senior Living Chapel Fund (3920 N. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI 53404).

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MOUNT PLEASANT – Mr. Leonard J. Klappauf, 92, passed away at St. Monica’s Senior Living on Monday, June 17, 2024.

He was born in Chicago on December 14, 1931, to the late Alphonse F. and Angeline E. (nee Bertrand) Klappauf, the youngest of seven boys.  His family moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin during his high school years.  It was there that he met the true love of his life, Jeanette V. Franda.  They married on April 25, 1953.  She preceded him in death on July 5, 2021.  She was the center of his life and left a huge void after her passing.  His family is at peace knowing they are together again.

Leonard proudly served his nation with the US Army in the Korean War.  After the war, he went to college  on the GI Bill, receiving his bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in math, as part of the first graduating class of University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (which was called Milwaukee State College when he started).  He eventually went on to earn his master’s degree in psychology.   He was proud to say he was a psychologist, but also a psychometrist.

He worked as the Supervisor of Student Services at Gateway Technical College, retiring in 1989.  Leonard was a member of the American Psychological Association and the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association, as well as St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

Leonard was an avid golfer and he and Jeanette joined Meadowbrook Country Club after retirement.  They made some wonderful friends there, who convinced them to join the Racine Curling Club for several years.  The trips they were also able to take in retirement were always special to them.

As a devoted Green Bay Packers fan, Len raised his children to appreciate the importance of not missing kick off and never interrupting a game.  More importantly, it reinforced his life lessons on loyalty and commitment.

He is survived by his children, John (Debby) Klappauf of Racine, Craig (Maggie) Klappauf of Albuquerque, NM, Laurie Klappauf (John Hoornbeek) of Hudson, OH, Bruce Klappauf of Austin, TX and Ruth (Chris) Retzlaff of Ripon.  He is further survived by 12 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy Franda, Joanne Franda and Lou (Kitty) Neuville; as well as many dear nieces and nephews.   He was also preceded in death by his brothers and their wives, Robert (Jeanne), George, Edward (Helen), Bernard, Raymond (Rose, Lee) and Earl (Mae); and his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Delores (Bernard) Pierre, Theresa Neuville and Ray and Robert Franda.

Family and friends are invited to meet at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (6400 Spring Street) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  The celebration of his life and funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m with Rev. Marco Valentini officiating.  Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia at a later date. 

Leonard’s family would like to thank St. Monica’s Senior Living and St Croix Hospice for the loving and professional attention he received while under their care. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. Monica’s Staff Development Fund or the St. Monica’s Senior Living Chapel Fund (3920 N. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI 53404).