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Benton, Wisconsin

Alfred H. "Al" Kluge, 90, of Benton, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Manor Care Health Services in Platteville. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 23, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Benton with Rev. Bill Vasey officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Thursday at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City. Friends may also call from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Friday at the church before the service.

Al was born on July 27, 1927, in Potter, Calumet County, Wisconsin, the son of Alfred C. and Minnie (Stache) Kluge. At age seven, Al's mother passed away and he and his dad moved to Sheboygan, where Al spent his early childhood and high school years, graduating from Sheboygan North High School in 1945. Following graduation he entered the United States Army Air Force where he served two years and was discharged in 1947. After entering the UW Center in Sheboygan, Al transferred to UW Madison receiving Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Education and Mathematics. He eventually obtained his Masters in Educational Administration from UW-Madison (1972).

His first teaching position was in 1952 at Benton High School, where he assisted Jim Nedelcoff with coaching duties. The two became lifelong best friends. After two years at Benton, Al joined the staff at Weston High School (1954-56), assuming math and business instruction where he taught for another two years. In 1956 he returned to the Benton School District and resumed teaching business and math and coaching basketball, baseball and football. Al was named district superintendent in 1972, a position he held until his retirement in 1989.

He married Marilyn M. "Mimi" Cherry on June 23, 1962, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. A diehard sports fan, Al enjoyed all things Badgers, Packers and Brewers. He was an avid card player and enjoyed yard work, bowling and fishing. Time spent with his grandchildren was treasured and he enjoyed his dogs Pepper, Buffy, Brandy and Cocoa. Al and Mimi enjoyed golf trips to Gulf Shores with Jim and Pauline Nedelcoff and trips to Door County with Bob and Jill Knight. Summer events always included class reunions from Sheboygan North with lifelong classmates and trips to Maine with special friends, Jerry and Bette Roth.

Al was very proud of being a teacher and looked forward to going to school every day. He held the staff at Benton in high esteem. He spoke highly of his office staff who excelled in performing their duties. Teaching was truly his passion and he felt so fortunate to be able to do what he loved.

Survivors include his wife, Mimi; a daughter, Julie Ann Kluge (Kraig) of Middleton, WI; two sons, Jon Alfred (Jodi) Kluge, of Delafield, WI, and William J. "Jim" (Jamie) Kluge, of Lake Geneva, WI; a brother, Robert (Bette) Kluge, of Sheboygan, WI; and five grandchildren; Nathan, Nicholas, Kaitlyn, Brody and Keaton. He is further survived by special family members Don Cherry, Bill & Grenith Cherry and Ron & Karen Robbins. 'Uncle' Al also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Vernetta (Rix) Kluge; a sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Warren Lubenow; and sisters-in-law, Jane Kluge and Ruth Cherry.

The family would like to thank the staff of Manor Care and St. Croix Hospice for their exceptional care and amazing support. We are so very grateful and will never forget how comfortable you made Dad feel. "Dies ist gut!"

An Alfred H. "Al" Kluge Memorial Fund has been established.

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