Alexander M. Klos of West Bend died peacefully on Saturday, August 27th at the Samaritan Health Center where he was doing rehab for a broken hip. He was 89 years old.
He was born on April 1, 1927 in the Town of Belgium (Holy Cross) to the late Frank and Johanna (nee Heinen) Klos.
On August 20, 1955 he was united in marriage to Barbara Beck at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend. Barbara passed away on March 25, 2010.
Alex farmed in the town of Belgium until 1957 when they moved to West Bend and he worked at Gehl Co. as a welder for 33 years, retiring in 1989.
He served with the 32nd Division National Guard from 1948 until 1953 and attained the rank of Staff Sgt. Alex was a member of the American Legion Post 36 , the Korean War Veterans Chapter 111, Holy Angels Catholic Church and The Gehl Company Hexelbank Club, all of West Bend.
He was proud to serve as a member of the West Bend Color Guard and Firing Squad for many years. In 1999 he was honored to receive the Legionnaire of the Year award from his American Legion Post 36.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and their cottage in northern Wisconsin. He kept active by walking 3-5 miles each day and enjoyed his hobby of welding garden sculpture animals.
Survivors include his children, Michael Klos of Colorado Springs, CO, Sharon (Timothy) Fischer of West Bend and Steven Klos of the Town of Wayne, two sisters, Mary Jane Melichar of Cedarburg and Delores Neveux of Germantown, brother-in-law Bernard (Judy) Beck of West Bend, sister-in-law Pauline (Phil Schumacher) Beck of Greenfield and Tolly Beck of Suffern, New York. Alex is further survived by his cherished grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Alex was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his parents, an infant brother, brothers-in-law Leo Melichar, Claude Beck, sister-in-law Lucy Beck, parents-in-law Rudy and Malinda Beck and his nephew Dave Beck.
The family wishes to express deep gratitude to his caregivers, especially Kim Krier with whom he looked forward to sharing a daily walk and conversation. His neighbors Bill and Mary Murray kept a watchful eye on Alex and always accompanied him to Mass every Saturday evening.
Heartfelt appreciation is also extended to the staff at the Samaritan Health Center and Horizon Hospice for their exceptional care.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Alex will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 3rd at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 138 N. 8th Avenue in West Bend. Burial with military honors will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery. Visitation at the church will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until Mass at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorials to the Fisher House Wisconsin in Milwaukee or the Holy Angels School Trust Fund are appreciated.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family.
Online guestbook and condolences are available at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com