Lori Kleich

VISITATION:

12 p.m. - 2 p.m. at Loopy's Saloon, Grill & Event Dome, 10691 County Hwy. X/Business Hwy. 29, Chippewa Falls

CELEBRATION OF LIFE:

2 p.m. at Loopy's Saloon, Grill & Event Dome, 10691 County Hwy. X/Business Hwy. 29, Chippewa Falls

Celebration of Life will be followed by a gathering time to share memories, have a meal & toast a life well-lived!

Lori Evjen Kleich , 45, was taken from this earth surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, February 4, 2017. Her will to live and determination to overcome her cancer diagnosis gave her five more years to live her life to the fullest. Her infectious smile and sparkling eyes graced everyone who knew her. Lori's joyful presence will forever be in our hearts.

On November 10, 1971, Lori was born to Larry and Linda (Matott) Evjen. Her childhood was filled with love and the strength of close extended family in Cadott, WI. Lori graduated from Cadott High School class of 1989 and then went on to obtain her bachelor's degree in Hydrogeology from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in 1994.

In 1995, Lori met William "Loopy" Kleich and together these two young entrepreneurs not only built a rare and magical kind of love but also a standout business in Chippewa Falls called Loopy's Saloon, Grill & Event Dome. Lori and Loopy married on February 27, 2002 on the most beautiful beach in the world, Sapphire Beach, St. Thomas U.S.V.I. Whenever they were able to take vacation time, they would head to St. Thomas; and in 2015, they bought a beach home there, where they made many memories and great friends.

After many years of living above the bar, Lori finally talked Loopy into building her dream home. She was instrumental in its design and she loved overlooking the Chippewa River. Many of her favorite memories and days were spent with Loopy getting lost on the backroads, with the top down in her Honey Weiss Jeep "The Beep", or on her Harley "Maximilian".

Lori will be forever missed by her husband, Loopy Kleich; her parents, Larry Evjen and Linda Rykal; her sister Kelsey Rykal Gleason (Krista); and brother, Caleb Rykal (Laura), along with her nephews, Dominic and Vincent; her niece, Aarilyn Boire; and her mother-in-law, Adele Kleich. Lori was adored by her many aunts, uncles and cousins, and her pet cats, Gary and Henrietta.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ellis and Eleanor Evjen; Gene and Shirley Matott; and her father-in-law, Donald Kleich, Sr.

Let Lori's life speak; find the love of your life, love passionately, travel the world, take the backroads, toast your friendships, always make time for the beach, never brave the cold, never settle for status quo, stay curious, never take your health for granted, and believe in the healing power of food.

A celebration of Lori's life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 11 at Loopy's Saloon, Grill & Event Dome in Chippewa Falls, with Rev. Robert Hoekstra officiating.

A visitation will be held from 12 noon until the time of service at 2 p.m. As Lori requested, following the service, there will be a time to gather, share memories, eat, and toast to a life well-lived.

Memorials in Lori's honor may be given to the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, c/o Loopy and Lori Kleich Endowment Fund, 404 Bridge St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. This fund will help local families find and fund alternative cancer treatments.