Orville H Klitzke, age 98, of Appleton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the home of his daughter Sue, in Centennial Colorado.
He was born on December 11, 1922 in Appleton, WI, son of Max and Nelda (Buchholtz) Klitzke. He graduated from Appleton West High School. On December 9, 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He was assigned to the 445th bomb group 701st squadron at Tibenham Air base in Norwich, England. He flew 33 missions over France and Germany as a ball gunner on a B-24 bomber. After the war he met the love of his life, Bette Knutson and they were married on October 30, 1948. They were married for 63 years until Bette’s death in 2012. Orv completed business school and had a long career as an office manager at various auto dealerships in Appleton, WI; Glen Ellen, IL; Evanston, IL; Oshkosh, WI and finally Thorsen Motors in Berlin, WI. After retirement, Orv and Bette moved to Waupaca, WI, where they lived for 12 years. Orv made a final solo move back to Appleton, WI. Orv ended up living a couple of blocks from where he was born and resided at Linwood Place Senior Apartments and Appleton Retirement Community. Orv was a devout church goer and at various times was a Treasurer and finally a member in the choir. He met his second love Karla Brekke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca. He loved to beat you at Sheepshead, loved polka music and drove his boat at full speed, much to the chagrin of his passengers and other boaters. We have wonderful memories of those misadventures, such as forgetting to put the plug in the boat and getting towed on Lake Winneconne. He had a long, wonderful life, but will be missed by his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bette and an infant daughter, Mary Beth Klitzke. He is survived by his son Brad (Dayna) of Thornton, CO; daughter Sue (Dr. Danny Hammond) of Centennial, CO; Karla Brekke; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on August 28, 2021 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, WI, followed by burial at Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh, WI.
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