Edward S. Klecker

Edward Stephen “Ed” Klecker, age 89, of Waterloo, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Prairie Ridge Hospital in Columbus.

Ed was born on July 31, 1936, the son of Stephen and Margaret (Breunig) Klecker. Following high school, he faithfully served his country in the United States Army. After his military service, Ed was employed by the Weyenberg Shoe Company in Waterloo and later in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Upon retiring from the shoe company, Ed returned to his roots and operated the family farm north of Waterloo until his retirement in 2014. He later built his dream home on the farm, where he resided until his passing.

Ed had a lifelong love of antique cars and tractors. He especially enjoyed time spent in his shed restoring and working on his military jeeps alongside his nephews Bruce and Tom, and his great-niece Holly. One of Ed’s greatest joys was celebrating his birthday with family and friends—festivities that became affectionately known as “Kleckerfest,” a tradition that brought everyone together at the farm.

Ed cherished his role as uncle and great-uncle. His nieces and nephews fondly remember hearing a “beep beep” in the driveway and spotting Uncle Ed pulling up with a big smile, ready to take them for a ride in his purple dune buggy. Though Ed never married, family was the center of his life. He was immensely proud to be known simply as “Uncle Ed,” and nothing brought him more joy than visits from his two little helpers, Layla and Myles.

Ed is survived by his siblings: Shirley Esse of Sun Prairie and Jeanette Gehrke of Fitchburg; brother-in-law Dale Coughlin of Marshall; nephews Stuart Esse, Bruce Gehrke, Jonathan Gehrke, Daniel Gehrke, Thomas Gehrke, Glenn Coughlin, and Brian Coughlin; and nieces Susan Hannigan, Pamela Backhaus, Kris Ward, and Beth Lalor. He is further survived by many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Cora Lee Coughlin; brothers-in-law Allen Esse and Arthur “Zane” Gehrke; nephew Dennis Ward; great-nephew Brandon Lalor; and longtime farming friend, Darrell Sullivan.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home of Waterloo. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial and Military Honors will follow the service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.