Mary Ann Klappa

Mary Ann (Bredl) Klappa, age 88 passed away on December 5, 2024 at her home with her family in Waukesha, WI. Mary Ann was born on July 11, 1936 in Auburndale, WI to the late George Bredl and Theresa (Ertl) Bredl. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School, Nekoosa and John Edwards High School, Port Edwards, WI. After graduation she married Leonard Klappa on June 25th, 1955 at Sacred Heart Church and lived for the next 15 years in Nekoosa, WI where the couple built a home. She worked as a legal secretary, first in Wisconsin Rapids and later in Nekoosa. Mary Ann was a member of Hamel-Ruder Unit 381 American Legion Auxiliary and Sacred Heart Christian Mothers, until the family moved to Green Bay in 1970.

She spent the remainder of her career at Procter & Gamble, first as a secretary and later in the Plans & Benefits division of HR, retiring after nearly 24 years in July of 1994. Upon retirement she and Len moved to their second home on Maiden Lake in Mountain, WI where Mary Ann became the ultimate volunteer for the next 22 years with Oconto County Home Respite Care, not only as a volunteer but also as District #1 Coordinator of the northern third of the county. She was a passionate supporter of the Packers, having had season tickets for more than 20 years, enjoyed snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ice and lake fishing, bowling (once achieving 9 strikes in a row until the inevitable 7-10 split appeared in the 10th frame), paddle boating and turtle hunting with her grandkids. She also became a ninja scrabble player, decimating almost anyone who dared play against her. 

Mary Ann is survived by her daughter Connie Jones; step-grandsons Andy (Anne) Jones and Greg (Allison) Blaz; step-great-grandchildren Noah, Caleb, Ethan, Parker and Zelie Jones; brother Roman Bredl; brothers-in-law Dale Irwin and Phillip Sands; sister-in-law Judith Fogarty and many nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Len; by an infant son Kenneth; a step-grandson Steve Jones; sisters Georgiana Sands and Jeanette Irwin; sisters-in-law Carole Klappa, Jane Martinson-Francis and Lillian Bredl; brother-in-law Jim Martinson; and dear friend Jean Fogarty. 

A special thank you to the kind and compassionate staff of ProHealth Home Hospice, especially Nurse Pam and to ADL’s CNA Chris whose years of warmhearted and amusing visits will never be forgotten, along with heartfelt gratitude and love for the fulltime care from her daughter, Connie. 

Mary Ann was a beautiful person who spread joy and happiness wherever she went. To honor her specific request, no funeral or service will be held as a private casting ceremony will be done in the spring.