Gary Kleczka

Born to Eternal Life on Thursday, January 9th, 2025 at the age of 72 years.

Preceded in death by his parents Jerome F. and Lorraine (nee Rudzinski) Kleczka and infant sister Cynthia Kleczka. Survived by his loving brother Glenn (Anja) Kleczka of Scottsdale, Arizona, and his faithful companion Ester Alvarez and her extensive family, along with cousins in California and many friends.

Gary was a modest, thoughtful and caring person. He loved the company of friends and family and everyone enjoyed his humor and entertaining character. His biggest joy was bow hunting “up north” with his hunting buddies. He also found enjoyment eating out and attending festivals at Milwaukee’s lakefront. In recent years he traveled to seven States and Mexico. 

He proudly served in the US Army as a Medic, at the rank of E4 Specialist in the Panama Canal Zone. He traveled extensively to almost every country in Latin America and upon returning home attended the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. 

Gary was an expert wood furniture craftsman in his early career, in partnership at a Milwaukee-based woodshop Wild Rose Woodworks that he co-founded. Its custom handmade wood furniture and case goods were sold to residential and commercial clients, and displayed at many trade shows around the country, as well as the Merchandise Mart of Chicago. He was also employed with the US Postal Service at the Milwaukee downtown branch for 25 years, taking early retirement at the age of 51. He then traveled the country for Zero Zone as an electrician for 13 years.

In his retirement he pursued his dream building a second home right on the southern border of Tucson Mountain Park in Arizona, whose "unobstructed views" of the Tucson Mountain range he looked forward to returning to every year.

          Gone too soon - Sorely missed - Remembered with Love

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 at 10 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 3100 S. 41st St., Milwaukee, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Entombment will follow at St. Adalbert Cemetery, 3801 S. 6th St., Milwaukee.