Michelle G. Klatt, age 57 of Hudson, Wisconsin, passed away surrounded by her family on November 1, 2021 at the Hudson Hospital after a year long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on August 31, 1964 in Fridley, Minnesota to Arlen and Jill (Ritchie) Rivard. Michelle’s family moved to Hudson when she was 13, and she enjoyed making new friends and trying new things in the Hudson area. She started participating in sports, and discovered a fondness for cheerleading. She also discovered a fondness for a cute boy named Danny Klatt. The two love-struck teenagers went on their first date during high school, and their relationship blossomed into a storybook romance between the cheerleader and football player. Danny later admitted that he truly was excited to go to school in those days because he knew SHE would be there. Michelle graduated from Hudson High School with the class of 1982, and continued her studies at the UW-Eau Claire. She and Danny were united in marriage on September 21, 1985 at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Hudson. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Abigail and Megan. Michelle was an awesome wife and mother, and she often took it on the role of preparing and getting things done to allow others to succeed. She was Danny’s rock and an example of patience to her daughters. In 1995, Michelle and Danny purchased the Hudson Bowling Center and started working for and supporting the Hudson community they grew up in.
Above everything else, Michelle loved her family. She enjoyed family gatherings and relished in her roll as “Nana” to her grandchildren. Michelle was a great cook and never made a meal her family did not enjoy, especially her lasagna. She was entertained by cooking shows on television, and read cookbooks like novels. Michelle cherished the memories made on family trips to Hayward with time spent on the pontoon, and renting houseboats on Lake Vermillion. She could spend long hours taking care of her beloved flower gardens and the vegetables Danny planted, but would enjoyed every minute of it. Michelle also possessed a good, but quirky, sense of humor that was always used to brighten someone’s day.
Michelle will remain in the hearts of her husband, Danny; daughters, Abigial (Adam) Lessard, and Megan Klatt (Rob Newhouse); grandchildren, Arlyn and Amery Lessard; mother, Jill Rivard; brothers, Ritchie (Dawn) Rivard, and Mitchell Rivard; mother-in-law, Donna Klatt; siblings-in-law, Deborah Klatt-Oberg, Deanne (Jeff) Fox, Doug Jr. (Sandra) Klatt, David Klatt, and Denise Pieper; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends; and her beloved yellow lab, Miller. She is preceded in death by her father, Arlen Rivard; father-in-law, Douglas Klatt; and siblings-in-law, William Oberg, Janell Klatt, and Merriell “Merk” Pieper.
A memorial service for family and close friends will be at 1:00 p.m., followed by a gathering to celebrate Michelle’s life from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the Hudson Bowling Center, 1801 Ward Ave. Ste 224, Hudson, WI.