Joel Karnick
Jean Marie Klimowski, age 74, of Phillips, Wisconsin, died November 18, 2024 at the family
farm. Jean was born June 14, 1950, to Anthony and Geraldine Schuh in Marshfield, WI. She
grew up in Colby, WI, attended St. Mary’s Catholic School through the eighth grade and
graduated from Colby High School. She then went on to attend the Metropolitan Business
College in Milwaukee, WI. It was during this time that she met her first husband Jack Nelson.
They married on April 12, 1969. They had two daughters Lara and Dana. After 11 years of
marriage, they divorced. A few years later Jean met Tom Klimowski, while visiting her cousin’s
resort in Phillips, WI. Soo Lake Resort would be their first chance meeting which led to a 36-
year marriage and their son John. They married on October 29, 1983. Over the years, Jean
worked a variety of jobs. She was a key punch operator at Guantanamo Bay Naval base and
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, Berkeley, CA. She worked in Phillips at the Price County
Human Services Department, Forestry Department, and the Veteran’s Service Office. She
retired in 2016.
Jean was very active in the community. She served as the Price County Salvation Army
Chairman from 1991 – 2024. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 2004
and served as president for 12 years. She was on the Friends of Fred Smith Board from 1996 –
2024 and an active member of the Phillips Moose Lodge. She had been a VFW Auxiliary
member for 20 plus years, a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, Nutritional
Advisory Committee, St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Therese of Lisieux Church Council
member and former choir member. Her hobbies included sewing, crafting, and gardening.
Jean is survived by her children: Lara (David) McKay, Dana (Kelly) McCullah, and John
Klimowski; grandchildren: Cole Retzlaff, Caitlyn and Caleb McCullah; great-grandchildren
Bradley and Della Jean Retzlaff; siblings: Judy (Lee) Underwood, Lois Asplund, Larry (Patsy)
Schuh, Nancy Brown and Thomas Schuh; in-laws: Marge (Jeff) Reinke, Kathy Klimowski and
Diana (Chris) Klimowski-McCrackin. Jean was preceded in death by her husband Tom
Klimowski; Ex-husband Jack Nelson; parents Anthony and Geraldine Schuh; brothers: Roger,
Richard, and Brian Schuh; in-laws: John and Alice Klimowski, Barbara Schuh, Jim Asplund,
Steve Brown, Sylvia Schuh, and Edward Klimowski.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11:00am at St. Therese of
Lisieux Catholic Church in Phillips, WI. Visitation will start at 9:00am and continue until the time
of the service. Inurnment at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery will follow services. A luncheon will
be held at the Phillips VFW.
Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral &
Cremation Services is serving the family.
