James R. Klatt

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 1621 2nd Avenue, Grafton at 2:00pm for James R. Klatt, age 59, of Grafton who passed away with dignity on Friday evening, December 26, 2014 at Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center. Memorial gathering will be held at Pilgrim United Church of Christ on Saturday from 12:30pm until the time of services. Military Honors will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family which will be used for a Marine Corp Scholarship Fund in James’ memory or the Wounded Warrior Project are appreciated. James was born in Port Washington, WI on September 22, 1955, the son of the late Lester and Jane (Nee Egelhoff) Klatt. He graduated from Homestead High School in 1974 and immediately joined the Marine Corp for 5 years during the Vietnam War Era. On August 16, 1986 he married Patrice M. Hennings at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Kiel, WI and they were blessed with two daughters. James was a member of the Thiensville Fire Department for 25+ years where he started the dive team and was an EMT. He was also a hunter safety instructor for 10 years and an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending time with his family at the cabin in Hayward and especially the family cottage on Cedar Lake. James is survived by his wife, Patrice, daughters; Laura (Richard) Brooks and Lindsey Klatt, siblings; Steve (Nancy) Klatt, Kathy (Stan) Klatt-Siehndel, Tony Klatt, father-in-law; Robert Hennings, brother-in-law; Bob (Karen) Hennings, sisters-in-law; Sue (Scott) Bartlein, Pat (Larry) Hennings-Bonde and Nancy Klatt, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Preceded in death by his parents, brothers; George and Charlie Klatt, mother-in-law; Carole Hennings and brother-in-law; Tom Hennings. James’ family wishes to thank the compassionate transplant team at Froedtert Memorial Hospital and the caring staff in the Palliative Care Unit at Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center.