Robert Curtis Klitzke

 Robert Curtis Klitzke, 87, of Sedona, Arizona, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at home with his wife Betty Jane and daughter Kathleen at his side.

      Bob was born June 7, 1933, on the family farm in Greenwoods, Michigan, to the late Walter and Alma (Freis) Klitzke.  Bob attended the one-room school house in Greenwoods, and later graduated from Stephenson High School.  It was at high school when Evelyn Johnson, who was dating Bob’s older brother Don, told Bob there was “someone he should meet.”  That someone was Evelyn’s best friend, Betty Jane Aman, who turned out to be the love of Bob’s life.  Bob and Betty Jane were married on June 7, 1952.

       Family and his faith in the Lord were the most important things to Bob. Bob served his Country in the United States Army, and then worked for the power company in Menominee, Michigan, before moving his family to Appleton, Wisconsin, to begin a long and successful career with Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent). At AAL, Bob combined his passion for helping people reach their financial goals, with his unwavering faith.  Bob was a long time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Appleton, and later, after retirement, Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Appleton.

      Bob valued hard work and helping others.  Bob enjoyed his cottage in Menominee, Michigan, and, later, his second home in Stephenson Michigan, landscaping, gardening, square dancing, polka dancing, and line dancing with Betty Jane, country music, and playing cards.  One of Bob’s favorite pastimes was Sunday dinner and weekly outings with his son, Mark.

      In later years, Bob and Betty enjoyed spending part of each winter in Arizona, where they greatly enjoyed friends and square dancing, and Bob had a blast playing baseball.  In his last years, Bob lived full time in Arizona with Betty and Kathleen, where he enjoyed music, being out in nature, and the warmth of many old and new friendships.

     Bob had a keen sense of humor, and enjoyed making people laugh. He is remembered as a gentle, kind, and thoughtful man, who traveled through life with a quiet grace and dignity. When faced with adversity, Bob always pivoted to his faith.  Bob reassured his family on many occasions “God has this.”  Amen.

     Bob is survived by his wife and dancing partner of 68 years, Betty Jane (Aman); son Mark Klitzke, daughter Diane Beatty, and daughter Kathleen Klitzke; two grandchildren and one great grandchild; three brothers, Meredith Klitzke, Warren (Mary Ann) Klitzke, and Ernie (Barbara) Klitzke, and sister-in-law Frances Klitzke; brother-in-law Mike (Margie) Aman, Jr., and sister-in-law Sharon Aman.  Along with his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sisters Eleanor Myers and Alice Klitzke, brothers Donald, Frank, and Norman Klitzke, grandchild Christopher Bessette, son-in-law, Phil Beatty, and many in-laws.

    The family would like to thank Neurosurgeon Dr. Akram Mahmoud, of Appleton, WI, who saved Bob’s life three times in 2017 after brain bleeds; Barrow Neurological Institute’s Department of Neuro-Rehabilitation, of Phoenix, AZ, where Dr. Kwasnica and dedicated staff got Bob “back in action;” and Dr. Stephen Flitman, of Phoenix, and Dr. Roxanne Hait, also of Phoenix, who worked closely with Bob and kindly guided him and his family through the final years of his life.

    Greers Mortuary is assisting the family. A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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