Dr. Michaelene “Mikey” Kloster, a distinguished retired Brigadier General and dedicated public servant, passed away on Aug. 12, 2026, at the age of 63.
A trailblazing leader whose military and civilian career spanned over four decades, Dr. Kloster most recently served as the civilian Chief of Staff for the 99th Readiness Division, headquartered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Dr. Kloster’s exceptional military journey began in June 1984, when she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and Distinguished Military Graduate from the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Delaware. Throughout her illustrious career, she achieved the distinction of serving across all facets of Army military service, including Active Duty, the National Guard, and the Army Reserve.
Her early active-duty service began in October 1984 in Rheinberg, Germany. She later transitioned to the Kansas City Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) as an Adjutant and Operations Officer. In 1993, Dr. Kloster transitioned from active duty to the Delaware Army National Guard. The following year, her career took her to the Kansas National Guard. In July 2000, she proudly joined the Army Reserve, stepping into multiple pivotal roles within the Office of the Commanding General, 99th Regional Readiness Command.
Dr. Kloster deployed to Kuwait and Iraq during the first rotation of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Known for her administrative brilliance and strategic personnel management, she additionally served as Chief Personnel Officer for several General Officers, leaving an indelible mark on the leadership and readiness of the United States Armed Forces.
In 2012, she took command of the Army Reserve’s 98th Training Division, making her one of the first women to command an Army Reserve training division and, upon her promotion to brigadier general in 2013, the first female general officer at Fort Benning.
Dr. Kloster will be remembered not only for her barrier-breaking military achievements and rise to the rank of Brigadier General, but for her unwavering patriotism, intellect, and profound mentorship to countless soldiers and civilians. Her last words as she departed 99th RD headquarters upon her retirement in April 2025 were, “Be kind to each other – because being kind matters.”
Mikey Kloster had an amazing and decorated military career, but that was not all that she was. From a humble beginning at Richardson Park Elementary School and then Conrad HS that transitioned to Wilmington HS – she went on to the University of Delaware and proceeded to secure 4 degrees in her lifetime, earning her the moniker of Dr. K.
Marching band, concert band, or a sing along at Christmas time …music was always a factor. She played the saxophone, dabbled in piano, could strum a mean ukelele, and could even play a polka on the accordion. She was a huge fan of the scores from “The Sound of Music” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” and could sing any one of the songs at the drop of a hat. Yet the 80’s music of Michael Jackson, Madonna, Culture Club and Prince was also crucial in her musical upbringing. Diverse is an understatement.
Animals. So many animals. From the trio of collies, to becoming a reluctant cat owner, there were always fur babies to take care of. Fondly known as: Snow White, The Queen of the Forest and Dr. Dolittle, Mikey was a true steward of the wildlife surrounding her home. The deer, racoons, wild turkeys and birds found an oasis in her back yard and were frequent visitors.
LEGO and puzzles and books, oh my! To know them was to love them if you were Michaelene Kloster. My guess is that many of you reading this were pulled into at least one, if not all three of her relaxation passions.
Trainspotting. From her 60th birthday party on a steam train to her recent 4th of July trip to see Big Boy with Curt there wasn’t a steam engine that Mikey wasn’t interested in knowing more about. Her love of all things railway may have stemmed from her early years being next to the railroad tracks at Grandma and Popsie’s house.
Asian pear salsa, guacamole, queso dip and BANANA BREAD – if you know, you know.
Mikey is survived – and will be exceedingly missed – by her parents, Bea (Michaels) and Jim Kloster, sister Susan (Kris) Zupan, nephews Zack (Chyna) and Owen Zupan, grand-nephew Malakai Zupan, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and her military family.
Service with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in accordance with their schedule.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her honor to an animal rescue center.
She would also request that you feed the birds, so please do so!
