Leonard
Klafka lived a long and enjoyable life. He lived during a
difficult
and changing time in the world, when a man’s strength and character
were
tested. He gave us a shining example of living a full, honorable
and
generous life.
Leonard was born in his
family’s
home on 3rd and Lincoln Avenue in Milwaukee. With his parents,
Frank
and Monica, his family also included his brothers and sisters August,
Dorothy,
Jean, Larry, Norbert and Florian.
Religion played a large part in his
family.
He attending grade school at St. Josaphat and graduated from St. Cyrils
&
Methodius Elementary in 1933. Throughout his life he kept in
touch
with grade school companions, meeting for occasional reunions.During the depression
his
family made stuffed animals to supplement their income. Len
started
attending South Division High School, but his father was transferred
from
his tannery job and the family moved to Muskegon, Michigan in
1936.
The family returned to Milwaukee in 1938. To earn money Len
joined
the Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC working on public works projects
around
Wisconsin until 1940. Most of his $30 a month salary was sent
home
to support the rest of the family.
After returning to
Milwaukee
he assembled stoves until World War II began. Dad joined the Army Air Force
and
was away from home for four years. He spent much of his time in
Northern
Africa and Italy. Dad was proud of the day he traveled to Rome
and
was blessed by the pope. We have memories of family vacations
trips
when Dad would let the older kids fire the rifle he brought home from
service.
After returning from the
war,
Dad joined the local Legion Post 444 at 13th and Oklahoma. This
led
to many family activities including summer picnics and the annual
Christmas
party which ended with the kids sitting on Santa’s knee as he shouted,
“Boy,
10 or Girl, 7”, as an appropriate gift was handed out.
Len’s army troop was
called
the “Desert Rats”, and after retirement Dad and Mom organized their
first
reunion in Milwaukee. This set the stage for numerous other
reunions
throughout the country giving them a chance to travel and relive WWII
experiences.
After being discharged in 1945, Dad returned to Milwaukee. Like so many of those returning from the war, his thoughts turned to love and family. Luckily for us, he met Florence Korzeniewski, who eventually succumbed to his advances. They were married on June 15, 1946 at St. Gerard’s on 16th and Oklahoma Avenue. With the shortages after the war, the wedding dress came from Chicago and needed to be shared with other family members. They managed to have drinks afterwards only due to the donation of a friendly tavern owner. Leonard and Florence moved into our first house at 3123 South 14th Street, sharing the home with Florence’s Aunt Francis and Uncle Frank, known as Woja. In 1948 they were able to put a down payment on the house using money collected at their wedding.
After the marriage, their lives were very busy. Dad held various jobs while finishing high school and attending Marquette University, and of course, starting a family. Sue came along in 1947, Dave in
1
948 and Rick in
1951.
Dad graduated in business administration from Marquette in 1951 when he
was
32 years old.
With his degree, Dad was able to get a position with the County Park Commission, the County Housing Authority, and then in 1956 he became a property assessor with the City of Milwaukee. Throughout this time, the rest of our fruitful family appeared, Dennis in 1954, Steve in 1957, Patty in 1960, and finally Jeff in 1963. It is hard to imagine how Dad and Mom were able to feed, clean, clothe and take care of seven crazy kids. But we all turned out fine, as good proof as any that they did an excellent job.
In 1966, Len became the Deputy Assessor of West Allis, a position he kept until his retirement in 1984. The new position brought a residency requirement. In 1969, Dad and Mom finally found an afford able house large enough to accommodate us all at 2144 South 107th Street. As with our 14th Street home, Dad and Mom immediately got us all involved in the local parish, Mary Queen of Heaven. Unlike Sue, Dave and Rick who enjoyed the rigors of Catholic high schools, the rest of us attended public schools.
Throughout
our
lives, Dad passed
on to us the importance of support for your profession, religion and
community.
After the war, he never ended his involvement in his Legion and its
social
activities, serving as post commander, chaplain, athletic officer, and
Boy
Scouts representative. He managed the Little League baseball
program
at Wilson Park. He was involved in the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts
from
1966 to 1984. He taught CCD at Mary Queen of Heaven parish, and
participated
in the Holy Name Society at St. Gerard’s and Mary Queen of
Heaven.
After retiring, he was a Red Coats volunteer at West Allis Memorial
Hospital.
Dad was a loving and strong father, and reminded us of the importance of enjoying life. There was no shortage of sports, cards and other games as we grew up. We have fond memories of many family gatherings for holidays and birthdays, football games on 14th Street, vacations with a station wagon full of kids, and endless cribbage games. After his retirement, he managed a softball team leading to a few scrapes and bruises from his sliding into bases. It was especially fun to see him try to tell a joke only to laugh so hard he was unable to finish it.
In 1999, we convinced our parents to move from their large home into a retirement apartment in Hales Corners, where Dad only needed to walk down the hall for a card game. In his last years, Len had to deal with many health problems, both his own and those of our mother. But he handled these with dignity, and didn’t let them get in the way of enjoying his life.
Despite his busy life, family was always the most important for Len. He
must
have been especially proud to see his seven kids turn into responsible
adults,
marry wonderful people, provide beautiful grandchildren, and then
wonderful great-grand children. He set an example for all of us
to
enjoy our lives to their fullest, taking on whatever confronts us,
while
never forgetting the importance of family and friends.
David and Steven Klafka
After being discharged in 1945, Dad returned to Milwaukee. Like so many of those returning from the war, his thoughts turned to love and family. Luckily for us, he met Florence Korzeniewski, who eventually succumbed to his advances. They were married on June 15, 1946 at St. Gerard’s on 16th and Oklahoma Avenue. With the shortages after the war, the wedding dress came from Chicago and needed to be shared with other family members. They managed to have drinks afterwards only due to the donation of a friendly tavern owner. Leonard and Florence moved into our first house at 3123 South 14th Street, sharing the home with Florence’s Aunt Francis and Uncle Frank, known as Woja. In 1948 they were able to put a down payment on the house using money collected at their wedding.
After the marriage, their lives were very busy. Dad held various jobs while finishing high school and attending Marquette University, and of course, starting a family. Sue came along in 1947, Dave in
1
948 and Rick in
1951.
Dad graduated in business administration from Marquette in 1951 when he
was
32 years old.With his degree, Dad was able to get a position with the County Park Commission, the County Housing Authority, and then in 1956 he became a property assessor with the City of Milwaukee. Throughout this time, the rest of our fruitful family appeared, Dennis in 1954, Steve in 1957, Patty in 1960, and finally Jeff in 1963. It is hard to imagine how Dad and Mom were able to feed, clean, clothe and take care of seven crazy kids. But we all turned out fine, as good proof as any that they did an excellent job.
In 1966, Len became the Deputy Assessor of West Allis, a position he kept until his retirement in 1984. The new position brought a residency requirement. In 1969, Dad and Mom finally found an afford able house large enough to accommodate us all at 2144 South 107th Street. As with our 14th Street home, Dad and Mom immediately got us all involved in the local parish, Mary Queen of Heaven. Unlike Sue, Dave and Rick who enjoyed the rigors of Catholic high schools, the rest of us attended public schools.
Throughout
our
lives, Dad passed
on to us the importance of support for your profession, religion and
community.
After the war, he never ended his involvement in his Legion and its
social
activities, serving as post commander, chaplain, athletic officer, and
Boy
Scouts representative. He managed the Little League baseball
program
at Wilson Park. He was involved in the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts
from
1966 to 1984. He taught CCD at Mary Queen of Heaven parish, and
participated
in the Holy Name Society at St. Gerard’s and Mary Queen of
Heaven.
After retiring, he was a Red Coats volunteer at West Allis Memorial
Hospital. Dad was a loving and strong father, and reminded us of the importance of enjoying life. There was no shortage of sports, cards and other games as we grew up. We have fond memories of many family gatherings for holidays and birthdays, football games on 14th Street, vacations with a station wagon full of kids, and endless cribbage games. After his retirement, he managed a softball team leading to a few scrapes and bruises from his sliding into bases. It was especially fun to see him try to tell a joke only to laugh so hard he was unable to finish it.
In 1999, we convinced our parents to move from their large home into a retirement apartment in Hales Corners, where Dad only needed to walk down the hall for a card game. In his last years, Len had to deal with many health problems, both his own and those of our mother. But he handled these with dignity, and didn’t let them get in the way of enjoying his life.
Despite his busy life, family was always the most important for Len. He
must
have been especially proud to see his seven kids turn into responsible
adults,
marry wonderful people, provide beautiful grandchildren, and then
wonderful great-grand children. He set an example for all of us
to
enjoy our lives to their fullest, taking on whatever confronts us,
while
never forgetting the importance of family and friends.David and Steven Klafka