George A. Klein passed away Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Belgium Gardens, Belgium, Wisconsin where he had resided for the past two months. George was born on the family farm on June 22, 1933, the youngest of the seven children of Anthony and Mary (Steichen) Klein of Alton, Iowa. George was proud of his family's large grain and beef operation, and spent his youth working beside his father learning to manage the business. He was hoping to plan a career in farming and someday have a farm of his own. His plan, however, encountered a few detours as George navigated through life. In 1954, patriotic duty called and George enlisted in the U. S. Army. He scored very well on the army's aptitude test and was selected for engineer training and served our country as an engineer foreman. He was honorably discharged on February 18, 1956. Returning to civilian life, George set out for Milwaukee to find work in the city's manufacturing industry. In Milwaukee, he not only found a job, he found his life partner as well when he met Mary Jane Lautenbach. He and Mary were married on August 5, 1961 at St. Roberts Church in Shorewood. George settled into a career at the Milwaukee Post Office, eventually becoming supervisor of building maintenance. With a solid career underway and a family started, they began to make plans to move outside the city. They soon began construction of their new home in Grafton, Wisconsin. One of the useful skills that George acquired while growing up on the farm was carpentry. He spent many nights and weekends customizing the family's home, even building the garage himself. After a few years in Grafton, it was time to move a little farther out of town. Weekend road trips to look at farms that were for sale became a family activity. Finally, in 1976, a suitable property was found near Belgium, Wisconsin. By happy coincidence, many residents of the community shared George's Luxembourg heritage. George had his farm at last. George continued to work at the post office until his retirement. After retiring, George kept busy raising and selling trees, naming his farm, Blue Spruce Farm, after his favorite variety. His sons and grandsons helped him with the work, with one grandson eventually buying the business. George was an avid reader and lifelong learner. He attended UWM while working full time and helping Mary raise five children. He was well educated in many areas, especially history. He often combined his interest in the subject with his love for travel. The family's numerous vacations were more often spent visiting historic sites than playing at amusement parks, which the children came to appreciate more as they grew older. George's children and grandchildren will remember him as a generous spirit, always ready to help those that needed it the most. They will also remember him as a mentor whom they could depend upon to share his wisdom and experience. This also came to be appreciated more as they grew older. George is survived by his wife Mary Jane, his five children, Carolynn (Tony) Strauss, Catherine (Kevin) Wilkins, Michael, Jerome (Candice Shafer), and Cheryl Klein. He also has four grandchildren, Diana Rehman (Chris Cleveland), David Strauss (Heather Modra), Brian Strauss, and Nathan Schmit (Cheyenne Smith). He is further survived by his great grandchildren, Zaara, Daniel, and Sumrah Rehman. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. George was a member of Divine Savior Parish. He was also a lifelong member of the American Postal Workers Union and a past member of the American Legion. Funeral services will be handled by Eernisse Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors at Divine Savior Church, Holy Cross Chapel, Holy Cross, Wisconsin from 4-6 pm on Tuesday , November 26. A mass of Christian burial will follow at 6 pm at the church. George will be buried the next day with full military honors at St. Mary's Parish Cemetery in Lake Church.