Wilfred Kloesel was born on Sept. 11, 1927 at his parents’ farm in Schulenburg. His father was Ferdinand Kloesel, also known as Ferdi B. His mother was Hermine Grohman Kloesel and he had one sister, Rosa Kloesel Heinrich, and two half-brothers, Herbert Kloesel and Arthur Kloesel. Wilfred married Georgia Petrash on May 11, 1966 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
Wilfred only had an elementary education, attending Middle Creek School, and was taught by Sisters of Divine Providence and received a Catholic education at St. Mary’s at High Hill, all while working on the farm. He took a short course in welding.
At age 21, he got a job at Mensik Welding Shop, welding and repairing for seven years, and at Glithero Tractor Co. in Columbus, repairing farm equipment and building irrigation equipment for four years. At age 32, he started a business at 1215 Summit in Schulenburg known as Kloesel Welding and Fabrication Works. There he built cattle trailers and other products for 20 years. At another location, he took care of past customers and built automatic deer feeders and collected antique farm engines, restoring them, running them and showing them at festivals. He received several trophies for the oldest and best restored engines in the area. He was a member of the Sharecroppers Antique Farm Equipment Club and the National Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association. His enjoyment in life was being able to repair and build almost anything he put his mind to for the satisfaction for himself and others.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Georgia; his parents, Ferdinand and Hermine Kloesel; his sister, Rosa Heinrich; half-brothers, Herbert Kloesel and Arthur Kloesel; step-son, Donald Petrash; step-son-in-law, David Crawford; and niece, Arlene (Kloesel) Bubela.
He is survived by his step-daughter, Janie Crawford of Helotes; step-son, Henry Petrash and wife Cathy of Victoria; nephews, Arlyn Kloesel, Donald Heinrich and Gary Heinrich; step-grandchildren, Lynn and Mark Bradshaw, Michael and Lynn Crawford, Stephanie and Eric Sekula, Jonathan and Beth Petrash, and Brandon and Amy Petrash; 15 step-great-grandchildren; and five step-great-great-grandchildren.
He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
Funeral services were held from the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 11 a.m. Parish rosary was recited at 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. Interment was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Donnie Heinrich, Brandon Petrash, Chad Petrash, Travis Boehm, Eric Sekula and Brent Bubela. Named as honorary pallbearers were Jonathan Petrash and Scott Kloesel.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School or a charity of one’s choice.