As the men's cross country coach beginning in 1977, Klitzke began seeing signs of interest in a women's program. Within two years, Klitzke established the women's team and by 1982, his women's team qualified for the NCAA Division III national meet, which he said was one of his biggest thrills in sports. Klitzke also saw the men's program improve during the same time period. "In 1982 and 1983, we had good runners and enough depth to be challenging as a team, both men and women," Klitzke said. Klitzke coached cross country and the distance runners for track from 1977-87, and during that time had 14 All-Americans and one national champion in Jeff Wachter. Klitzke, who taught psychology at Stout from 1960-90, was involved in running in the Menomonie community, establishing road races such as the American Cancer Society Fun Run, the Fourth of July Red Cedar Classic and the Wakanda Wander. Professionally, Klitzke established the Undergraduate Fellows honors organization and developed and revised the Stout psychology program. Klitzke and his wife, Liz, are retired and live in White Bear Lake, Minn.
COMPLETE OBITUARY
Louis Ladd Klitzke
Louis L. Klitzke (90), passed away on December 6, 2021, at his Blaine, Minn., apartment. He was attended to by his three sons (Peter, Paul, and Philip) and blessed with visits from family members Jody Klitzke, Shirley Klitzke, and grandchildren Bethany, Joanna, and Caleb Klitzke. His family and friends called him Lou. To Liz he was Luigi.
Lou was born to Carl (Bud) and Reva Klitzke in Ransom Kansas, March 2, 1931. His father Bud was a farmer and his mother an artist/educator in Western Kansas. Lou graduated from Ransom High School in 1949 and subsequently attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., where he met his wife of 63 years, H Elizabeth Klitzke (Ploughe). He was awarded a BA in Music Education from Southwestern College. Lou and Liz were married in June 1953 by Liz's father Rev. Joseph Ploughe a distinguished Methodist minister.
Subsequently Lou served in the US Army where he discovered an aptitude for behavioral psychology. After completing military service, he enrolled in post graduate programs at Colorado State College (Greely, Colo.) earning MA and Ed.D. After teaching at the Lamar Colorado Junior (Community) College he accepted an assistant professor position at Stout State College (now UW-Stout) in Menomonie, Wis., where he served from 1960 to 1990.
He was a visionary advocate for personal/community wellness through mental, physical, spiritual, and nutritional well-being. In 1966 he applied and was accepted to teach young educators in newly colonial liberated Tanzania East Africa in the capital city of Dar Es Salaam. He took his young family to spend two years in East Africa where he helped the newly liberated country to train teachers who would promote African self-reliance blending the best practices of Western Education and the tribal culture. An example of his research journals include the following:
Young Tanzanian teachers educated in topics and methods were often subjugated to tribal bias that favored traditions.
Upon returning to UW Stout in 1968 he was an ardent advocate for foreign student exchange and education.
In the mid 1970's Lou's middle son Paul displayed an aptitude and passion for distance running. Lou saw the potential of physical fitness/competition for young men/women to develop positive body, mental, and emotional self-esteem. He incorporated physical exercise and nutrition into his teachings/curriculum. He served as Coach for the men's and women's cross country running programs and distance track from 1977 to 1987. He had the honor of coaching many gifted athletes and based on their response 30 years+ later he had a meaningful and lasting impact on their lives. His runners recall affectionately the spaghetti dinners Liz prepared for them.
In 1997 Lou was inducted into the
UW Stout athletic hall of fame. We have received an amazing outpouring of loving stories and positive affirmations of the impact he had on his students and running team members, educational, and professional lives. A common theme is that Dad/Lou coached and encouraged all his teams equally, i.e. the slower runners received coaching as much as the national champion runners.
Here's a quote from one of his runners Marty Dierl.
"It's been 40+ years since I met Coach Lou, a Coach, Teacher, Friend and Listener. Lou wanted to impart his knowledge and help young college students who were interested in running. He also shared his knowledge of life and helped me personally like a second father.
"Lou started every season by opening his home to the team for a beautiful meal put together by Lou and Liz. This was a great time to meet new teammates and get back together with everyone especially for college students away from home. It was great time to talk and outline the season ahead and get a great meal.
"Lou wanted to win but it wasn't all about winning. Lou shared his passion for exercise and staying fit and living a healthy lifestyle. A lifestyle that went way beyond college time running for the Stout Blue Devils."
World recorder holder (50 mile) Barney Klecker recalled Lou's encouragement to define his goals and tell them to someone who would hold him accountable.
Runner Dave Wolf remembered Lou fondly.
"I thought one of Lou's best attributes was he was a great humanitarian. Lou was always positive with the less talented runners on the team. This 'bald guy' encouraged every runner the same as if they finished in the top 10." - Barney Klecker
At his core, Lou was a teacher, coach, and communicator. He spent countless unpaid hours chatting with students in the UW-Stout cafeteria. An example of his personal impact is how Lou encouraged a young student to stay in school. After a successful career the former student donated over a million dollars to UW Stout in honor of Lou Klitzke. Lou directed the monies be applied to teacher 'leadership training' since educator training often does not prepare teachers with requisite leadership skills.
A UW-Stout scholarship in Lou and Liz's honor has been launched to help students in need of financial support who have demonstrated a commitment to the wellness program. Let us (
prklitzke@gmail.com) know if you'd like to contribute to this scholarship in Lou / Liz honor.
The family will purchase three trees to be planted in the (St. Paul, Minn) Como Conservatory in honor of Lou and Liz. The exact location of the trees will be determined this spring.
In 2004 Lou's beloved Liz started showing signs of memory loss so they moved into a progressive care facility in Minnesota. Over the next 12 years she gradually declined until passing Nov. 12, 2016.
Lou was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Elizabeth Klitzke (Ploughe), his parents Carl (Bud) Klitzke, Reva (Holmes) Klitzke, his only and older brother Carl Klitzke junior, and his sister-in-law Vivian Klitzke.
Survivors also include sons Peter L (Carol) Klitzke (Cloquet, MN), Paul S (Peggy) Klitzke (Roseville MN), Philip R (Jody) Klitzke (Pine City, MN), and grandchildren Andrew Clade (Nicolle) (Duluth MN), Bethany Klitzke (Minneapolis, MN), Joanna Klitzke (St. Paul, MN), David (Lauren) Klitzke (La Crosse, WI), Caleb Klitzke (Minneapolis, MN), Drew Klitzke (Minneapolis, MN), and Leo Klitzke (Roseville, MN). A memorial service will be held in 2022.
In lieu of flowers the family requests your help to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's by contributing to the memory of Lou & Liz. We set up a special online memorial tribute through the Alzheimer's Association (AZL.Org). Your gift will help the Alzheimer's Association advance its mission through vital Alzheimer research, services, and programs for people living with Alzheimer's and their families. Whatever you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.
Click here to view the fund page for Lou & Liz Klitzke
