Richard O. Klatt

Richard Otto Klatt, 89, February 4th, 1927 – October 29th, 2016

Richard Otto Klatt (“ROK”) passed away Saturday morning October 29th, 2016 at his home in Balsam Lake with his family at his side.  Dick was born on February 4th, 1927 in Deer Park, Wisconsin, a son of Otto and Elsie Klatt.

He married Olive Mae Nelson on June 1st, 1955 in Webster, WI.

Dick grew up in Deer Park and Clear Lake and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1944.  He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theater during WWII from 1944 to 1946.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at UW-River Falls in 1951 and a Master’s degree in Chemistry from UW-Madison in 1958.  He started his teaching and coaching careers in 1951 at Webster and Centuria school districts, continuing his career with the Unity School District from 1958 to 1987.  Dick was a highly respected science teacher specializing in Chemistry.  He coached varsity baseball, basketball, football, and track for 24 years, serving as Head Coach of football from 1961 to 1974, and earning three conference championships with an overall record of 60-49-3.  He was Unity’s Athletic Director from 1961 to 1985.  Dick was also the Unity Middle School Principal from 1979 until his retirement in 1987.  After his retirement Dick worked as a licensed realtor until his second retirement in 1997.  He was inducted into Unity’s Wall of Honor in 1989 and the Unity School District football stadium was dedicated to him and renamed the R.O.K. Stadium in 2003.

Dick was also very involved in his community.  He was an active leader in St. Patrick’s, Our Lady of the Pines, and Holy Rosary Catholic churches until they combined to create Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, where he continued to be an active leader.  He was a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus.  Dick was one of the founders of the State Hunter’s Safety program in Centuria.  Dick served as the first Director of the Community Education Council, was a past chairman of the Board of St. Croix Hospital, and was active in Lion’s Club, American Legion, and VFW.      

In addition to Dick’s careers and community involvement he had many avocations.  He was an accomplished hunter, fisherman, and carpenter.  With family and friends he built several cabins and houses, and helped expand a maple sugar bush operation, which continues today.

Of everything in his life, Dick’s greatest joy and love was his family.

Dick leaves to celebrate his memory:  his wife, Olive Klatt, Balsam Lake, WI; his children, Richard (Kelly) Klatt, Faribault, MN; Susan (Bryan) Peterson, Balsam Lake, WI; Ronald (Susan) Klatt, Uniontown, PA; his grandchildren, Alexander Klatt, Ryan Klatt, Nathan (Alli Higgins) Peterson, Ashton (James) Batchelor, Erik Klatt, Paul Klatt, Evan Klatt, great-granddaughter, Finley, his siblings, Shirley Higgins, Wendell Klatt, Kenny Klatt, Marlin Klatt, Arnie Klatt and Sharon Kuhl and many other loving family and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Elsie, his son, Michael Klatt and siblings, Eileen Larson, Joanne Ploszay, Barbara Decker, Douglas Klatt and Duane Klatt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 5th, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake.  Father Gene Murphy will officiate.  Military Honors will be rendered at the church following the service.  Family and friends are invited to join the family for lunch and fellowship following the military honors in the church community room.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 4th, 2016 from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church and then again from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass on Saturday.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: family prefers memorials to Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake or the Associated Nephrology Consultants, ATTN: Shannon E. Doyle, 1997 Sloan Place, Suite 17, Maplewood, MN  55117.

Dick will be laid to rest at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Webster, Wisconsin.  Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Nate, Ashton, Erik, Paul, Evan, Alex, Ryan and Finley.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.  Please visit www.kolstadfamilyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book.

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