Roberta A. (Pihl) Klaeser

Roberta A. Klaeser, age 88 of Manitowoc passed away Wednesday September 6, 2023, at Whitetail Estates Assisted Living.

Roberta was born on May 11, 1935, in Toledo, OH, daughter of the late Robert C. and Anne (Minzlaff) Pihl. The family moved to Manitowoc in 1938, when Roberta’s father accepted the position of Golf Professional at Lakeside Country Club (which in later years became the Elks Club) on Waldo Blvd. She graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School with the class of 1953 and then went to the Milwaukee State Teacher’s College, which eventually became the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Roberta graduated from there in 1958 and received a BFA degree, Art Education and Library Science degrees. She was a teacher-librarian in the Milwaukee Public Schools until her retirement in 1992.

In 1957 Roberta was married to Lowell D. Rasmussen. They divorced in 1970. On December 18, 1977, Roberta married Walter J. Klaeser and lived in Glendale, WI until moving to Manitowoc in 2000. Walter preceded her in death on March 13, 2003.

Roberta was a faithful member of First Lutheran Church where she served as President of Our Savior’s Altar Guild, Chairperson of the Board of Property, a Stephen Minister, and founder of the church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry. Her hobbies included reading, knitting, stitching petti point rugs, and making miniature room boxes and doll houses. Her miniature rooms were featured in many miniature magazines over the years.

Survivors include one son: Robert A. Rasmussen and his wife: Angela, their children: Andrew E. Rasmussen (Gabby), Tanja K. Rasmussen (Jonas Schultz) all of Germany; grandchildren include: James (Andrea) Carroll, Wauwatosa, Thomas (Jennifer) Carroll, Evanston, IL, Ann Carroll (Michael Maffeo), Batavia, IL; great grandchildren: Conor Carroll, Kiara Libnoch, Alex Carroll, Benjamin Maffeo, Zoe Rasmussen, and Leander Schultz. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one stepdaughter: Lucinda Pardo.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the First Lutheran Church, 521 N. 8th Street, Manitowoc, the Rev. Andy Wendle will officiate. There will be no visitation prior to the service, relatives and friends may gather following the service in the church hall for continued fellowship and a luncheon to be served.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Youth fund of First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc.

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com