Emily Klapste, of Antigo, died October 17, 2016 in Osceola, Wisconsin. Emily was 98 years old. She was born on May 28, 1918 in the Town of Neva, a daughter of William and Justina (Denk) Gleich. She married Leonard Klapste on May 27, 1939 in Milwaukee. He preceded her in death on February 21, 2007.
She attended Little Chicago Grade School in Neva and graduated from Antigo High School. Prior to marriage she taught grade school at Liberty Bell in the town of Vilas for four years. After marriage she and her husband moved to Coleman where they owned and operated a Gamble’s store for 34 years. Mrs. Klapste worked at the store, raised her three children and graduated college after the children left home. She then taught grade school in Lena, Wisconsin, for 14 years, retiring in 1980.
She and her husband returned to Antigo in 1993 and in retirement she enjoyed traveling, oil painting and gardening. She was a life-long advocate and role model for living well with Celiac Disease.
Mrs. Klapste was a member of the Wisconsin Retired Teachers Association and the Antigo United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Janet Witt (Betsy McCleary) of Arlington, Virginia; two sons, James (Carol) Klapste of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and Kendall (Anne) Klapste of Madera, California; five grandchildren, Jason and Kristin Klapste, Jeremy Klapste, Michael and Charles Witt; five great-grandchildren, Aurora Simar, Gabriel and Ethan Witt, Georgia and Liam Klapste.
In addition to her husband of 67 years, she was preceded in death by a sister, Rosie Cahak; and two brothers, Harry and Emil “Pete” Gleich.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 22 at 11 a.m. at the Antigo United Methodist Church with Pastor Debbie Pimm officiating. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately following the Celebration of Emily’s Life. Visitation will be Friday, October 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bradley Funeral Home and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church.
Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Celiac Support Association (csaceliac.org), P.O. Box 254 Seward, NE 68434 or the Antigo United Methodist Church, 2034 W. Fifth Ave, Antigo, WI 54409.