Louise Klawitter

Louise Sophie Klawitter was born March 18, 1935 in Webster Wisconsin to John and Evelyn Lahners. Louise was the third born of 4 children. Louise spent her younger years in the surrounding areas of Northwestern Wis. She had many moves. Literally! In high school she moved along with her family to Silverton Oregon, then moved back to Grantsburg, then back to Silverton, then back to Grantsburg. When she showed up at Grantsburg Highschool sporting her new saddle shoes she was the envy of all the girls who had never seen those fancy shoes before. It was there at GHS that she met and fell in love with Marvin Westrom.

After high school graduation Marvin went to college and Louise worked at a bank in Mpls. They were married Aug 3, 1957 and moved to Chicago where Marvin landed a job at Benjamin Electric. About 3 years later in 1961, Marv and Louise, and their small family (Mark 3 and Renee going on 2) moved back to Grantsburg purchasing a home and land on Crosstown Rd, a little west and across the road from Nick, Alma, and Cynthia Karels. That was the beginning of a life long friendship between Alma and Louise, Cynthia and Renee and eventually Leah. Mark often hung out with them as well.

Marvin worked at McNallys Industries in Grantsburg and Louise stayed home raising the littles but later worked as a teller at 1st Bank of Grantsburg. In 1965, Keith was added to their little family. Together they all grew and became well established and loved in the Grantsburg community. Louise loved music, sang in the church choir, Christian Womens Clubs, nursing homes and wherever she could with her beloved friend Alma Karels.

Louise loved to fish which was great cause so did Marv. Many hours were spent pulling in Walleyes and feasting on the best fish in the world. Louise always said “true fishermen put their own worm on and took their own fish off”.

Louise loved playing and laughing and through her strong witness impacted Marv so greatly that he too gave his life to Jesus. Together they raised Mark, Renee and Keith in a strong Christian home. She and Marv enjoyed many community involvements including church and also being a part of Wild River Ridge Runners.

Louise loved playing and laughing with the grandchildren and great grands which came later on.

In March of 1999 Louise, Mark, Renee and Keith suffered a tragic loss of husband and father Marvin, who while out for a 5-mile run, experienced a massive heart attack which took him instantly. Shock and sorrow spread across the community as they learned of Marv’s sudden death. But God was not about to leave her alone.

You see, later (1999) Renee’s husband, Randy’s mom passed away also. So, Dick Klawitter and Louise began to comfort one another in their individual losses and, well 2 years later in 2001 Dick and Louise got married with Renee being her mom’s maid of honor and Randy being his Dad’s best man. Yup. A little unusual. In so doing, Louise gained a whole new expanded family filled with more grand kids to be a grandma to.

Also, now Louise was not only Randy’s mother-in-law, but also now his step mom. Same for Renee as Dicks daughter-in-law but also his step daughter. Renee and Randy became aunt and uncle to their own kids and their own kids became Randy and Renee’s nieces and nephews. Wrap your mind around that one for just a minute. Randy just found out that he’s his own brother-in-law. Well anyway…this marriage to Dick Klawitter lasted 21+ years and included many miles of traveling meeting new family and friends, camping with Christian Campers and many miles walked along the lake and Sams club, until due to declining health and multiple issues, Louise passed away on Sept 11, 2023. Just 23 days after her beloved friend Alma also went home. This friendship has stood the test of time and in their last conversation together Alma said “I am going to Heaven soon” and Louise said “I won’t be far behind you”. And she wasn’t.

Louise was selfless and always seeing to the needs of others which was displayed in so many ways. One special way including Louise generously funding in 2007 the Westrom Prayer Cabin at The Wilderness Fellowship Ministries in memory of Marvin.

She loved and laughed, was generous and joyful with a smile and kind words up to the last hours of her life. Family was always very important to her. She was a faithful prayer warrior for her children and grandchildren including those not yet born. She was faithful in all things and ran the race well and finished well. We will miss her smiles, laughter and joy of Life. Our loss but Heaven’s gain!

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 4-6 pm at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM (visitation from 10-11 AM) at Calvary Covenant Church in Alpha, WI. with Pastor Scott Sagle officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.Swedberg-taylor.com.