Carl Henry Kluge

Carl Henry Kluge 89, loving husband and father passed away on August 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife Mary and family. He was born on July 15, 1936 to William and Mary (Bruce) Kluge in Vernon County. Carl attended Eau Claire Area Schools until May 28, 1954, when he left to serve in the Marines as a combat Engineer-carpenter. He received the rank of Sergeant on April 1, 1957 and was Honorable Discharged on May 27, 1962.

On October 1, 1966 Carl married Mary Schmitz in Milwaukee WI. They moved to Eau Claire in 1967 and later settled in Mondovi in 1970.

He was a hardworking man who held positions for American Motors, Pabst Brewery Milwaukee, Farmer Store Eau Claire, and Presto. Carl later purchased Witte Freight Service from Earl Van Gelder and operated it as Kluge Trucking, later converting it to hauling livestock. He also started Kluge's Chimney Cleaning and worked side jobs as a painter. He went on to work for Asher’s Siding, and National By Products, retiring in 2001, though he continued working there until 2006.

Carl enjoyed time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren, his friends, playing dart ball, Green Bay Packers, hunting, NASCAR races, gardening, playing dirty clubs at Bauer's garage, traveling truck driver by profession, and boy scouts Assistant Scout Leader.

He was a proud member of Mondovi’s Knights of Columbus, where he served a term as Grand Knight 3rd degree and also a member of American Legion Diller-Johnson Post 54.

Carl is survived by his wife of 58 years Mary Schmitz Kluge, children Shawn (Julie-Ann Stewart), Kristine (Mike Clark), Scott (Tracy Ritzke) William (Melissa Weinkauf), Daniel, and Benjamin (Stacy Weiss), and bonus son Daniel Villafuerta (Joanna).

Grandchildren Raymond, Katie, and Isaac Kluge; Amber (Jonathon) Schlatter, Michael Clark, Britney (Paul) Benoit, Lizzy (Keaton) Noffke, Rylie Clark; Marc, Zach and Megan Kluge; John, Bryant and Alyssa Kluge; Andrew, Jackson and Eli Kluge; and Emma Villafuerta. Great grandchildren Gabriel, Oliver and Beau Benoit and Sadie Schlatter.

Brothers Elmer (Eva) and David Wold. Sister-in-laws Diane Kluge. Patti (Fred) Belleau, and Mary Olalde (Ed). Brothers-in law. Michael (Carol Oswald) Schmitz, Mark (Jamie Walters) Schmitz. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends

Carl is preceded in death by son Paul, parents William and Mary Kluge, mother and father -in-law Jack and Adrienne Schmitz , brothers Clarence Phephles, Art Phephles, Harold Kluge, Leo Kluge and Morris Wold sisters Mae Storberg, Irene Bohl, June Kluge, Rose Brantner, Pearl Phephles; sisters-in- law Erma Phephles, Alvina Phephles and Joyce Kluge brothers-in-law Leonard Brantner, Henry Bohl, Glenn Storberg and nieces, nephews and other relatives. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mondovi, WI on Friday September 5 at 11:00 AM with an hour of visitation prior.

Talbot Family Funeral Homes-Scenic Rivers Cremation Center assisted the family. www.talbotfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers please send cards or notes of sympathy to the family.