Norman L Klobuchar

Norman Louis Klobuchar, age 88, passed away on December 3, at Trinity hospital in Cudahy, WI.  He was born on 10/18/31 in Milwaukee, WI to Louis and Marion Klobuchar. 

Dad grew up in Bay View, graduated from Bay View H.S. where he excelled at baseball, basketball and football; after graduation, he played semi-pro baseball, which was a lifelong love.  He graduated from Spencerian College, completing a degree in Accounting and Finance.  Shortly after graduation, he was drafted into the Army (Artillery), sent to Korea where he was severely injured.   He went on to work for First Federal (aka First Financial) for 37 years as a branch manager where he mentored and encouraged his staff to work hard toward achieving the best for themselves. 

Dad met mom when they were 19 & 18, and they were married 5 years later.  Survived by his children: Norman, Margaret (Jeffery) Queen, Mary (Dean) Wainscott, Kevin (AnneMarie), Louise and Elizabeth.  Further survived by grandchildren: Miranda Dema, Alex (Ana Rodriguez) Dema, Adam Dema, Jenna Wainscott, Joseph (Lorraine Laurenz) Ziegler, Sarah Klobuchar; also survived by two great grandchildren: Cameron Pryor and Mason Pryor.  Dad was nicknamed “Bunky” by his first grandchild and he will forever be known as “Bunky”.

Mary Ann: He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  We had an amazing 64 years together-WOW!  Thanks for the memories.  Rest in peace, Bunky.

Kevin:   Reminiscing about my dad takes me back to many wonderful times.  Growing up, he was my hero, wanting to be just like him: a good baseball player, a good fisherman and, of course, a good father.  As I look back on all the things he instilled in me makes me realize how lucky I was to call him “dad”.  I will definitely miss you, dad, and will always love you.  Until the next time I see you, Kevin.

AnneMarie: I have known you for over half my life.  You welcomed me into the family with an open heart and always treated me as one of your own.  You didn’t know what to do with my hugs and kisses at first, but got used to me and my expressive nature, and eventually returned them in kind.  We have shared many quiet times at the cottage where you’ve told me stories of years past and some of your dreams for the future.  You were always there for whoever may be in need.  Always sincere, honest and quietly strong, yet you possessed a gentleness and generosity beyond words.  You were a caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, veteran, hard worker and provider.  You were a strong man who will be missed so much; your legacy will carry on in all of us.  Love, AnneMarie

Louise and Elizabeth: You taught us the importance of being a good friend and sharing our skills by always (endlessly) fixing bikes, tennis rackets, basketballs, etc. (ours and the entire neighborhood).  You taught us patience by teaching us to fish and that apple tobacco must be in the corncob pipe if you want to catch some bass.  You spent endless evenings trying to teach us math….we’re still trying! You taught us the beauty of waking up to Johnny Cash before Mass, that Saturdays are meant to start with pancakes, Sundays start with gorgeous omelets and birthday cake MUST be served with vanilla ice cream.  Everything that we are and will be, is because of you and Golly.  Thank you, we love you, Bunky, and we got it from here.   

Miranda:   A great man and best grandpa ever! I knew this from the very first day I was born.  He didn’t deserve any generic title, and I refused from him to be acknowledged as anyone other than my beloved “Bunky”.  I grew up with Bunky right by my side, as he lived only 3 doors down for most of my life.  Anytime I ever needed him, he was there to keep me company with watching cartoons and playing endless games of war and solitaire.  We spent our summers on the lake with him pulling me in back of his boat on one ski, and he taught me how to be the best fisherman out of all the boys in our family.  I’ll never forget him patiently going through an all-day class with the DNR just so we could get our boating license together.  Bunky was such a genuine and honest person, so when he spoke to me about how proud he was, I would believe it too!  Much of what I accomplished at a young age was due to both him and my grandma, Golly.  He brought so much joy and happiness to all of his grandchildren. I’m very blessed to have had my own children get to know him over the past several years too, and I hope to pass on and share the lifetime of memories I’ve spent and cherish with him.

Joe:  Some of my favorite times hanging out with Bunky were at the cottage. I remember fishing at the cottage with Bunky and my dad and catching a seagull in the sky by accident.  I was between the two of them, who were saying every line in the book at that “damn seagull” for taking my dad’s lure.  The best times I had with Bunky were when he would talk with me and tell me stories about baseball and his younger days.  Whether it was military related or chasing cattle off the baseball field before his games, the stories and memories are endless, but it’s all part of what made Bunky so special.  It’s now our job to “keep the train movin’”.   Love, Joe

Alex:  Bunky was a generous man who loved his family.  Living the way that he did provided a blue print to my brother Adam and I how to love, care for, and provide for our family.  We looked up to him and he provided a positive, strong example in many areas of life.

Sarah:

Bunky, 

When I was young, I remember I would look forward to every Sunday morning…Not for the fact that I had to go to CCD, or Jesus School is what I used to call it. But it was the fact that I knew that after the most boring 1 ½ of my life, (Sorry Father), I would come home to find you waiting. You and Golly used to come to our house almost every Sunday, with hot ham and rolls. 

I guess it’s true what they say, “You never know the value of a moment, until it’s gone.” And that may be true, but I'm glad I got to spend the last 19 years being your Princess. Even though we all know I’m no princess….I think my favorite memories would be the years spent at the cottage with you. Even when you played a baseball game all night on your bedside radio, or chased me around for slamming all of the doors. One of your favorite sayings, I first heard here too: “Compliments to the Chef”.  There was no doubt that you would say this after every meal. 

I guess I just wanted to thank you for loving everyone endlessly. Even your silence was love, and I know that. 

Thank you for teaching me how to love, how to work hard, and how to be strong willed. 

Thank you to you, and Golly, for giving me this family. We may not be perfect, but we are a family.  And that is perfect to me.

Wherever you are now, I know you’re no longer suffering. And I know you’re finally at peace. And that fact alone should dull all of our pain. 

We shouldn’t cry because you’re gone, we should smile at the life you lived, and all the cool memories you made, which were my favorite stories you told.

I can’t wait for the day I get to see you again.  I love you forever.

Love, Your Princess,

Sarah

 “There are places I'll remember, all my life. Though some have changed, some forever, not for better. Some have gone and some remain. All these places have their moments, with lovers and friends. I still can recall, some are dead and some are living. In my life, I've loved them all, but of all these friends and lovers, there is no one that compares with you. And these memories lose their meaning, when I think of love as something new. Though I know I'll never lose affection for people and things that went before, I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more. 

(Johnny Cash ‘In My Life’) 

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