Shirley Ann Klatt, 92, of Sister Bay, passed away Saturday morning, March 7, 2026 at Woodview Assisted Living of Serenity Spring Senior Living at Scandia Village.
She was born February 5, 1934 in Elkhorn, the daughter of Joseph Eugene Ryan and Matilda Owen (Clemans) Ryan. Shirley graduated from Elkhorn High School with the class of 1952 and went on to study business and computer science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her degree. She was one of the first women to study computer science at the university.
She was united in marriage to Melvin John Klatt on August 31, 1957 in Delavan, WI. Shirley was initially employed with IBM as a computer programmer for a few years until 1960 when she and Melvin started their family. They lived in Milwaukee, WI; Denver, CO; and Bloomington, IN. When she and Melvin moved to Wheaton, IL, she worked as a volunteer coordinator for the DuPage County Health Department until her retirement.
Shirley and Melvin moved to Door County, WI in 1996 and resided in Ellison Bay. She served on the Associate Board for Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor, WI. She also volunteered at the Liberty Grove Historical Society, Bargains Unilimited, and Meals on Wheels. Shirley was an avid reader, especially of mysteries. She and Melvin shared over 68 years of marriage together. He died just a couple months prior on January 14, 2026.
Shirley will be missed by her children, Mary (Richard) Foster of Ellison Bay, Johnathon (Jeff Spychalski) Abrielle of Camas, WA, and Peter (Shari) Klatt of Bartlett, IL; granchildren, Brandon, Kate, and Anna Foster and Tyler, Aidan, and Joli Klatt; sister-in-law, Janice (John) Zera of Franklin, WI; nephews, Mark and Phillip Zera; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister-in-law, Florence Klatt; nephew, John Zera; and other relatives.
At Shirley's request, no services will be held.
Memorials may be given in Shirley's honor for the Birch Creek Music Performance Center (3821 County Road E, P.O. Box 230, Egg Harbor, WI 54209; www.birchcreek.org/support).
"Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staffs of Serenity Spring and Unity Hospice, Celeste Danek, and Senior Helpers for the wonderful and compassionate care you gave to our mother."
Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay is caring for Shirley and her family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Shirley may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.CaspersonFuneralHome.com.
