Obituary of Claude John Stehling

CLAUDE J. STEHLING, age 68, of Jefferson, passed away Thursday October 29, 2015 following a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer, at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek. He was born on April 5, 1947 in Hartford, Wisconsin to Claude G. and Lucille (Werner) Stehling. Claude attended Kindergarten at East Elementary School because there was no kindergarten at the Catholic School at that time. He then attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School for 1st -8th grades. Claude was baptized, confirmed and united in marriage at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1965. Claude served in the United States National Guard for six years in Company C, 2nd Battalion of the 128th Infantry and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. On June 1, 1968, Claude married Janet Imsland at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He began his career as a carpenter with the Braun Lumber Company in Jefferson on the roughing crew and later became supervisor of his own crew. He worked for the Braun Lumber Company for 32 years until they closed. He continued as a master carpenter for 10 years for David Williams, owner of the Country Builders, until his retirement. Following his formal retirement, Claude worked for the Jefferson School District part time for another 5 years and area handyman for friends and family. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parishes where he served as an usher, an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus, and volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul. He was also a member of the Jefferson Historical Society. He is survived by his wife Janet Stehling of Jefferson, his mother Lucille Stehling of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Jefferson. Daughters Ann (Wayne) Arnold of Jefferson, Sarah (Bill) Koch of Hales Corners, four grandchildren Jacob Arnold, Jenna Arnold, Hannah Koch, and Peter Koch. Sister Carol (Wally) Strauss of Watertown and brother Greg Stehling of Jefferson. Also many nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, and friends. He is preceded in death by his father Claude G. Stehling, sister Mary Stefanski, sister-in-law Elda Stehling, and a niece Teresa (Strauss) Roberts. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday October 31, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with the Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating, burial will take place at a later date in the Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home on Friday October 30, 2015 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and then again on Saturday morning at the Church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Memorial may be dedicated in Claude's name to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the UW Carbone Cancer Center, or to Rainbow Hospice Care Center in Johnson Creek. The Family would like to extend a special thank you to the Staff at the UW Carbone Cancer Center, especially Oncologist Dr. Dustin Deming, and his wonderful nurse Anica Bausch. A very heartfelt special thank you to Father Tom Coyle who helped our family spiritually through this difficult time, our friends and family, and all of the staff at the Rainbow Hospice Center in Johnson Creek. Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or light a candle in his memory.