George James Kleist, 81, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, April 25, 2025. He was born February 4, 1944 in Wausau, Wisconsin, son of the late George Albert and Eva Marie (Kessler) Kleist. After graduating from Mosinee High School in 1962, George attended Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, graduating in 1964 with his associate’s degree in technical publications. He worked at Marine Travelift in Sturgeon Bay for 13 years before retiring in 2010. On June 8, 1968, George and Marilyn Mary Heil were united in marriage at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Rothschild. He played the trumpet in Polish Polka bands for 20 years. He also enjoyed genealogy, but his true passion was fishing. George will be missed by his loving wife of 56 years, Marilyn; son, Troy (Wendy) Kleist; grandsons, Samuel J. and Emmett A. Kleist; sisters, Geraldine Kunkel, Marlene Klimek, and Barbara Kleist; siblings-in-law, Jean Krueger, Arlene Domagola, Derwin (Jackie) Heil, Kathy (Hugh) Corbin, and brother-in-law, Charles Benn; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eva Kleist; sister, Patricia Kleist Benn; parents-in-law, Leonard and Lorraine Heil; and brothers-in-law, Curt Kunkel, Lester Krueger, and Dennis Domagola. George’s life will be honored with a memorial visitation on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest in Mosinee Cemetery at a later date. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of George may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.