Our History
Our History
Our Origins: G.I. Prasser & Sons (1868)
The story of Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Homes begins in 1868 with George I. Prasser, who founded a combined furniture and undertaking business at what is now 704 West National Avenue in Milwaukee. By 1884, Prasser had entered a partnership with another local undertaker to expand his operations. That partnership dissolved a year later, and in 1886, George’s son—also named George—joined the firm. In 1888, a second son, Gustav, joined as well, and the firm officially became George I. Prasser & Sons.
In 1891, the company opened a new furniture showroom and workshop at 832–838 West National Avenue. This three-story brick building served the family furniture business until about 1940. The Prassers manufactured and sold upholstered goods, including chairs, rockers, and sofas, and also engaged in custom cabinet work and the sale of antique furniture.
At the time, it was common for furniture makers to also serve as undertakers, crafting coffins and providing horse-drawn hearse services. George Prasser (2nd generation) became one of Wisconsin’s first licensed embalmers in 1901, receiving license number 84. He remained active in the funeral profession until his death in 1932.
From Storefront to Neighborhood Funeral Home (1928)
Erwin J. Prasser Sr. (3rd generation), son of George and grandson of G.I. Prasser, became a licensed embalmer in 1927 and a licensed funeral director in 1932. In 1928, Erwin Sr. established a new funeral home on Whitnall Avenue, located in what was then the Town of Lake on Milwaukee’s far south side. This marked a new era: a shift from commercial storefront to residential-style funeral home. The move mirrored a broader industry trend, as families increasingly sought services outside their homes and funeral businesses relocated to quieter residential neighborhoods offering more space and parking. Erwin’s wife, Cecilia Prasser, played a vital role in the business, serving as vice president. Known for her meticulous standards, Cecilia assisted in everything from hair styling for the deceased to maintaining the funeral home’s cleanliness and presentation.
Renovations were made to the Whitnall Avenue funeral home in 1937. While details of the renovations to the building remain scarce, the home served Milwaukee families until 1954.
A Modern Funeral Home on South Howell Avenue (1954)
As demand grew and the profession evolved, Erwin Sr. opened a new funeral home in 1954 at 3275 South Howell Avenue. Like the Whitnall Avenue location, this facility included a family residence above the funeral home. Significantly larger, it featured a spacious lobby, large chapel (with the option to divide it), lounge, business office, private family room, preparation room, and a garage for the hearse.
The Howell Avenue location was well-positioned within the Bay View and South Side communities and its continued placement in a residential area preserved the “neighborhood funeral home” atmosphere.
The first funeral service at this new location took place in the fall of 1954.
Around this time, Erwin Sr.’s son, George I. Prasser (4th generation), became more involved in the family business after his marriage to Dolores (nee Stark) in 1953 and his earlier service in the military. His younger brother, Erwin “Jack” Prasser Jr., joined the business in 1951 as a licensed embalmer, remaining active until his departure from Milwaukee in 1965.
The Kleczka Era Begins (1965)
In early 1965, following the departure of Jack Prasser, the Prasser family advertised for a licensed embalmer. Jerome “Jerry” Kleczka, licensed since 1959, responded and quickly earned the trust of Erwin Sr. and George. Just weeks into the job, he was entrusted to oversee operations while the Prassers took a long-overdue vacation. His capable leadership during that time marked the beginning of a new chapter.
In 1968, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the firm, the Howell Avenue facility was expanded with a larger lobby, new chapel, formal arrangement office, and a casket selection room. These facility updates and convenience of location to the interstate and bus routes were widely advertised in local papers.
By 1970, the business was formally renamed Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home, reflecting the new partnership between George Prasser and Jerry Kleczka. Erwin Sr. remained semi-retired until his passing in 1976.
Additional notable staff during this time:
James G. Waldhuetter - Joined in 1969, the first hire under the new Prasser-Kleczka partnership.
Patrick “Pat” Koszuta - Became licensed in 1975 and joined in 1978. He later became Jerry Kleczka’s partner after George’s retirement. Pat retired in 2013 but remains licensed. Pat celebrated 50 years as a licensed funeral director in 2025.
Marianne Kleczka - Jerry’s spouse as well as Jay and Jeff’s mom. Marianne was the bookkeeper at the funeral home from 1980 until her passing in 2014.
Expansion: South Suburban Chapel (1988)
To better serve Milwaukee’s growing suburbs, Jerry Kleczka opened a second location in 1988: the South Suburban Chapel at 6080 South 27th Street. Located on Milwaukee’s southern edge, the chapel is easily accessible to families in Greenfield, Franklin, and Oak Creek. Parking at the facility was expanded in 1993 and redecorations in 2001 and 2023
A New Generation: Jay & Jeff Kleczka
Jay J. Kleczka and Jeffrey J. Kleczka, sons of Jerry, grew up in the family residence above the Howell Avenue chapel. Inspired by their father’s service to the community, both became licensed funeral directors in 1995.
Working alongside their father until his passing in 2009, Jay and Jeff assumed leadership of the firm and have continued its legacy with care and innovation. Under their leadership the firm has grown to become one of the most commonly selected funeral homes serving Milwaukee’s South side and near suburbs. For over 30 years, Jeff and Jay, have served Milwaukee families with dedication, professionalism, and compassion. Jared Kleczka, Jeff’s son, is the third generation of Kleczka’s to serve this community. He was licensed in June of 2024 and is equal in his dedication to the profession as set by his grandpa, dad and uncle.
Bay View Cremation Center (2014)
In response to the growing preference for cremation, Jay and Jeff Kleczka established the Prasser-Kleczka Cremation Center in 2014 at 3279 South Howell Avenue, adjacent to the Howell Avenue Chapel. This state-of-the-art facility is fully owned and operated by Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home and includes a cremation witnessing room—offering families the option to remain present throughout the cremation process in accordance with their customs, religious beliefs, and or preferences.
Operating this facility allows a level of transparency not offered at many funeral homes.
A Funeral Home for the Future (2019)
In 2019, Prasser-Kleczka became one of the first funeral homes in the nation to digitize the entire arrangement process using a new software program specifically designed for the funeral planning process. Rather than relying on traditional pen-and-paper methods, families are now actively involved in every step of the planning—viewing vital statistics, composing obituaries, and selecting caskets or urns on a large-screen monitor.
This innovation fosters greater transparency, accuracy, and collaboration, bringing families into the process like never before.
Legacy, Leadership & Community
Three of our directors have served as Presidents of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association:
Jerry Kleczka (1983–1984)
Pat Koszuta (1997–1998)
Jeff Kleczka (2016–2017)
For over 157 years, Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Homes has been family-owned and rooted in Milwaukee’s South Side. Jay and Jeff Kleczka continue to serve as co-owners and licensed funeral directors, preserving the compassionate legacy begun by the Prasser family in 1868 and continued by their father joining the business.
Prasser-Kleczka has witnessed—and helped shape—every era of American funeral service while staying committed to the evolving needs of the community.
Why Our History Matters
Prasser-Kleczka is a cornerstone in Milwaukee’s funeral service history. From 19th-century cabinetmakers to 21st-century funeral innovators, we represent:
A remarkable family legacy, now into its seventh generation.
A commitment to transparency, compassion, and ethics.
A deep-rooted connection to the community we’ve served for over a century and a half
A New Generation: Jay & Jeff Kleczka
