Byron Allen Klingensmith

PORTAGE – Byron Allen Klingensmith, age 74, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025, at the Wisconsin Dells Health Services in Wisconsin Dells.  His parents were Robert and Lilles Klingensmith.

Byron was born on February 25, 1951, in Red Wing, Minnesota, and then grew up in rural Ellsworth, WI area.  He attended school in Ellsworth, starting at Sleepy Hollow, the last one-room schoolhouse.  He graduated in 1969, keeping perfect attendance for all twelve years.  He also was a co-captain on the football team his senior year.  Byron attended the local Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Sunday School for 18 years and was confirmed in 1965.  Byron was a gifted artist and loved to draw and paint.
After graduation the years brought a variety of work and life experiences.  He attended Tech College in Eau Claire studying barber science.  He worked as a barber/hair stylist on and off in several locations over the years.  Mixed in were factory and building jobs, snow plowing, driving semi grain trucks and gravel trucks.  He also trained to become an auctioneer.  Byron married Glorianne Rathlisberger in 1982.  However, their marriage broke apart five years later. 

In 1988, Byron gave his whole life to Christ and was born again, letting Jesus Christ be Lord in his life.  A series of events resulted in Byron moving to Portage, Wisconsin in 1992.  In 1996, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which he bravely battled the next 30+ years.  He made CrossPoint Assembly of God his church home and attended when he was able.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara, two brothers, Dale and LaVerne, and his parents.  He is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Thank you to the staff at Wisconsin Dells Health Services for their excellent care the past several months.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 18, at the Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, 430 West Wisconsin St., Portage, WI 53901.  Family and friends are invited to a visitation time from 5:00 pm until the time of service at 6:00 pm.