Rose Ann Klir

Rose Ann Klir departed for the eternal classroom on Sunday, May 8, 2022, from
Inglehaven Communities. Rose was born on July 25, 1933, in Kenyon Valley, near Black River Falls, to
James Jr. and Anna (Bohac) Klir. She attended grammar school in the Kenyon Valley Rural School, where
she was inspired to become a rural school teacher. Rose attended Black River Falls High School and was
a member of the graduating class of 1951. She enrolled in the two-year Rural Education course at La
Crosse College, graduating in June of 1953. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of La
Crosse in 1967.
Rose secured her first teaching position at Erbe School (1953-1957), then at Ruste School (1957-1960),
both in the township of Blue Mounds, teaching grades 1-8. From there she taught at Andrew Henry
(1961-1964) near Verona. She then became the first principal at LaFollette Heights School (1964-1967)
and then moved to Mount Horeb Grade School to teach fifth grade until her retirement in January 1991.
In retirement, she enjoyed visiting with former students. At her retirement party, her former students
said they learned respect, discipline and when to say their please, thank you and excuse me’s. Perhaps
some of her students also remember that a’s, o’s, d’s and g’s are closed; i’s and j’s are dotted; and t’s are
crossed.
Rose was a member of the Mount Horeb Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school,
sang in the choir, was a member of the Women of the Church, served on various committees and was
very active in the sewing group, making quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Rose learned the enjoyment of
singing by listening to the “Journeys in Music Land.” She sang in the church choir for over 50 years and
several years in the Mount Horeb Chorale. She volunteered for the Mount Horeb Chamber of Commerce
Information Hut. Unfortunately, her red car will no longer be seen around town.
Rose is survived by her sister, Mary (Klir) (Horne) Curtis of Dodgeville; a nephew, Mike (Gloria) Helstad
of Hixton; and a niece, Sandy (Randy) Simpson of Durham, N.C. She was preceded in death by her
parents, James and Anna Klir; a foster sister, Geneva (Orville) Helstad; and brothers-in-law, Del Horne
and Clarence Curtis.
A funeral service will be held at EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 315 E. Main St., Mount Horeb, at 11
a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, with Pastor John Twiton presiding, followed by a luncheon furnished by
the family at the church. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVE STREAM may visit
Rose’s obituary page at http://www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at the time of the
service. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. A
graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery, 415
Maple St., Black River Falls.

Special thanks to the staff at Inglehaven, Pastor John Twiton, Joseph Tiegen, Dr. Berg and the staff at
Upland Hills Health, and all her friends that visited her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the
family. Online condolences may be made at http://www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077