Dora (Thomann) Kluck 81 of Lake Summerset, IL loving wife, mother, grandma, great grandma (GG), sister and friend died on Friday, September 27, 2024 at SSM Hospice Home, Monroe, WI with her daughter at her side. Dora was born on March 12, 1943 in Oberried am Brienzersee, Canton Bern, Switzerland. The daughter of Hermine Gertrud “Trudi” (Ruef) and Albert Thomann. She attended school until 2nd grade in Oberried, then in Oct '52, she and her family immigrated to the Red Oak/Cedarville. IL area by way of Ellis Island and Freeport, IL. She attended school in Orangeville, IL.
She spent her formative years on the Bennethum Dairy Farm north of Cedarville and East of Red Oak, IL. She graduated from Orangeville High School in 1962. She met and fell in love with her beloved Raymond (Ray) L. Kluck several years after he had come to work on the Bennethem Farm, they married on January 19, 1963, in Cedarville, IL. After spending the first couple years of marriage on the Bennethum farm, in 1966 they moved to Pork Chop Hill Farm, Farm School Rd., Dakota, IL and raised hogs, chickens and later beef. The landscaping of the farm under Dora's tender loving care and gardening prowess, turned into a floral showplace with a rock garden Ray built and a beautiful home. They farmed, raised their three children, and had many great times at their self-built pool with family and friends, and made a beautiful life until 1991, when they sold the farm and moved.
Ray and Dora retired from farming and moved to Lake Summerset in 1991. Dora went back to work for The Monroe Clinic and SSM Health Monroe, WI as a Medical Transcriptionist from 1976 until she retired in her 60s. What Dora enjoyed most was spending time with her family and friends, especially during the holidays. She enjoyed traveling with Ray the love of her life to Switzerland, up north into the Badlands and out west to Arizona, the Grand Canyon in Nevada and many trips to Door County, WI. Dora also yodeled with her mother in the Swiss Singers of Monroe, WI. During her time with the group, they travelled to Canada for a yodeling competition for which they received international recognition.
Dora also enjoyed snow and water skiing, boating, camping, crafting, antiquing, gardening (both flowers and vegetables), canning and freezing, and cooking for her family, as well as hosting gatherings. She also competed in a women’s bowling league in Lake Summerset. She went to Switzerland several times with Ray and in 2018 took her daughter and 3 granddaughters to Switzerland for the trip of a lifetime. In Oct. 2022 she went to Cozumel, Mexico with her daughter, brother Paul and sister-in-law Stacy and friend Chad Nicks, where she went snorkeling for the first time at age 79.
She is survived by her children, Deb (Joel) Jansen, Monticello, WI, Jeff, Dakota, IL, Daniel, Freeport, IL. Grandchildren John (Anna) Hartman, Mike Gunday and Benjamin Jansen (Dedra Woodley), Aaron (AJ), Katelyn, Viola (Jake) Karakas, Daely. Great-Grandchildren Serena, Ellianna, Abigail, JR, Artie, Valor and Mercy, two brothers Walt (Cindy) Thomann and Paul (Stacy) Thomann and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends David Book, Barb Klinger, Sharon Berry, Vonnie Toelke and Kathy Reeter.
Preceding her in death was her soulmate Ray, her parents Trudi and Albert, 2 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters in law, and dear friend Linda Book.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home in Dakota, IL. There will be a memorial service beginning at 7:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established in her name. Condolences may be shared with her family at www.walkermortuary.com.
