Jerelyn L. Kloehn

Jerelyn Louise (Dobratz Hanson) Kloehn, “Jere”, age 79, went to be with her Lord on May 1, 2019, from home with her family present after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. Jere was born in Sturgeon Bay on April 2, 1940, to the late Oscar and Charlotte (Bremer) Dobratz.

Jere was raised in Oconomowoc and was a member of 4-H and took pride in showing her projects and sheep at the junior and state fairs. She was a graduate of Oconomowoc High School in 1958, enjoying band, chorus, and piano. In 1962, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and Education. She met her first husband, Terence “Terry” A. Hanson at UW - Madison, and they were married on June 8, 1963. She took wonderful care of Terry as he battled a brain tumor until he passed away in 1995. Shortly after, she was blessed to meet Carl E. Kloehn, and they were united in marriage on September 21, 1996. They enjoyed their years together traveling and visiting friends and family.

After graduating from college, Jere taught high school Home Economics and later had several related part-time jobs. She enjoyed gardening, antiquing, sewing, and many other hobbies and crafts. Guided by her strong faith, she was a devoted member of her churches throughout the years, most recently St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Appleton. She cherished the times visiting with friends and family from all periods of her life and her PEO sisters.

Jere will be dearly missed by her loving husband: Carl Kloehn; two daughters: Leslie (Nicholas) Lange of Menomonie, Wisconsin and Jennifer (Jeffery) Gaal of Oconomowoc; and Carl’s children: Allen Kloehn of Appleton and Amy (Jacques “Jack”) Eick of Appleton. She was a loving grandmother and fondly remembered by Patrick and Andrew Lange; Jordan, Justin, and Jenna Gaal; and Christopher “CJ” Eick. She is further survived by her sister: Caralee (Lawrence) Donaldson of Kansas City, Missouri, and nieces Jeramie Pils and Stephanie Bayne. She was preceded in death by her first husband, her parents, and a brother John Dobratz.

A service of Thanksgiving and Victory for Jere will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 129 S. Mason Street in Appleton with Rev. Jonathan Kuske officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, May 10, and again at the church on Saturday, from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Entombment and committal will be held at Mound Cemetery in Racine on Monday, May 13, at 10:00 AM. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Appleton.

For more information or to share a memory of Jere, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.

Jere’s smile was always present and never faded - Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5:12a.