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Klapper, Robert (Bob) F.

Robert (Bob) F. Klapper passed away peacefully at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King on Friday, October 26, 2018.

He was born in Green Bay on January 31, 1926 to Walter and Lillian (Hantke) Klapper. Bob met his wife Virginia (Jean) in 1944 when they served our country working in the shipyards during World War II. They married in 1944 in Mineral Wells, Texas before Bob shipped overseas in the Army. Jean preceded him in death on March 2, 2017. They were blessed to be married for 72 years. Bob participated in the battle of Luzon in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, later earning a Purple Heart for his service.

After his discharge from the Army, Bob worked for Kimberly Clark for the next 34 years retiring in 1979. Bob and Jean raised their family in Menasha. They liked to take their kids camping at Boot Lake near Lakewood. Later they purchased land on St. John’s Lake, near Crandon where they built a cottage and eventually a second home. It was here that the family spent many vacations and weekends skiing, fishing, relaxing and having fun as a family. Bob was a risk taker who convinced Jean that to get ahead they should own their own business. As a result, in 1966 they purchased the A&W root beer stand in Wabeno. Jean operated the business during the summers with son Gary and daughter Barbara.

In 1969, they purchased the Wolf River Diner in Fremont and Jean operated that business as well. Although Bob worked during the day for Kimberly Clark, he helped Jean at the diner in the evenings and weekends. It goes without saying that Bob and Jean were both great parents and loving grandparents. In 1971 Bob and Jean moved to Fremont where Bob was a proud member of the Wolf River American Legion Post 391, eventually serving as post commander. He worked many chicken BBQs and smelt fries and helped to keep up the building and grounds. Bob was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fremont where he served as an elder, trustee and usher. He enjoyed volunteering at the King Veterans Home.

Bob was a die-hard Packer fan and held season tickets for many years. He and Jean rarely missed a game. They both loved to snowmobile with their friends and they also enjoyed traveling. Together they traveled not only to almost every state, but out of country as well. When they no longer traveled, Bob loved to just hop in the car and go for rides. He also enjoyed feeding and watching birds. On April 13, 2016, Bob, accompanied by his son Gary, flew on Mission XXXIV of the Northeast Wisconsin Old Glory Honor Flight, which is a non-profit organization created to honor veterans by flying America’s heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors – as it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation. Bob was delighted that he went and talked about his experience fondly.

Bob is survived by his daughter Barbara (Gary) Wegner, New London; son Gary (Ann) Klapper, Oregon; two daughters-in-law, Nance Klapper, La Crosse, and Danna Klapper, Appleton; six grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren and two step-great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, son Robert, son Dennis and his three brothers, Ervin, Orville, LaVern and sister Jeanette.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 107 Tustin Road, Fremont. Pastor Stephen Pope will officiate. Entombment will take place at 2:00 p.m. in Highland Memorial Park, Appleton. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the service. A memorial fund has been established. The Lewin Funeral Home, Fremont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Thank you to the staff at both the King Veteran’s Home as well as ThedaCare Hospice for your wonderful kind and giving care.

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