John Francis Klucarich, of Elcho, died Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Rennes Rehabilitation in Rhinelander. He was 92 years old. He was born on November 13, 1923 in Ashland County, a son of John and Barbara (Capan) Klucarich. He married Norma Simondsen on September 10, 1949 in Sagola, Michigan. She preceded him in death on March 1, 2011.
He was a graduate of Ashland High School with the class of 1941.
As a young man John was a dairy farmer, worked for Bell Telephone as an installer and repairman and worked as a iron worker for Barney Johnson Construction in Ashland. For 30 years he worked for Rhinelander telephone as a lineman, installer and repairman retiring in 1986.
He was a true fisherman.
John was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Elcho.
Survivors include four Daughters, Susan (Kim) Goerg, Rhinelander, Barbara (Billie) Meyers, Copperas Cove, Texas, Mary Ann Klucarich, Rhinelander, Patricia Klucarich, Tripoli; three Sons, John Arnold Klucarich, Rhinelander, Joseph (Michiko) Klucarich, Vacaville, CA, Nicholas (Kyong)
Klucarich, Lacy, Washington; four Sisters, Mary Wallner, Ashland, Katherine Romaine, Colorado,
Rose Drndak, Kenosha; a brother, Joseph (Rose) Klucarich, Brown Deer; 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by a daughter, Kay Klucarich, a granddaughter Crystal Knuth; a sister Anne Kohl.
A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Elcho with Rev. Dave Zimmerman officiating. Burial will take place in St. Agnes Cemetery in Ashland. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Friday.
Bradley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.
Services
Visitation
Elcho, Wisconsin 54428
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Elcho, Wisconsin 54428
I remember Uncle John as a quiet man who fished a lot. My Mom and Dad have a set of wood chairs he made after he had retired. I stopped by with my Mom for a visit on one of Norma's good days and we walked across the street for a coffee and revisited fond memories. When we came back to the house John was sitting with his legs bent under him on an easy chair, he had just finished exercising. He said "Betty, the secret to a long life is exercise and eating right" I thought it must be true if he could sit like that. John and Norma together again, our hugs and prayers to the family.
Patty prayers to you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Patty and all of the Klucarich family.
We send our condolences to Patty and the Klucarich family. In looking at these photos we can picture a happy reunion for John and Norma. May God Bless them and all of you.
John and wife Norma with children 1955.
John and daughter Kay, Pelican Lake 1957.
John's mother, father and aunt Luca. 1938.
John with old line truck, 1956.
John with Muskie, 1974.
John with work truck, Pelican Lake, 1957.
John with fish, White River, Ashland Wi, 1956
John at Pure Air Sanitorium Bayfield Wisconsin 1954
I remember spending a lot of time at the Klucarich house with Mary when I was a kid. Sometimes would watch the Packer game with John and Norma would make me a peanut butter sandwich. Good memories, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
One of the endearing traits of these last couple years and the visits I made to Elcho is that I was able to meet and get to know all of my dad's friends and caretakers. I was overtaken by the sense of care and community shown by you. Personally delivered mail, newspapers, meals and most of all LOVE. Thank you from the bottom and top of my heart.
I met John about 6 years ago when I began watching Norma for him while he did ran errands. Norma passed away about a month after I lost my son. We were both grieving and we talked about our losses together. He would share books on the loss of a loved one with me that he received from the church. We shared a lot of life stories and became friends. I will always remember him as a very kind, loyal and honest man. Rest in peace my friend. You will be missed.