Margaret H. Kaltenbach

Visitation for Peggy Kaltenbach, will be held Sunday, December 10, 2017, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine.  Funeral Services will begin Monday, December 11th, 10:30 a.m. also at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, Palatine.  The Interment will follow in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine.

Peggy was born December 10, 1924 in New Brighton, PA, and passed away Saturday, December 2, 2017 in Barrington, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Margaret (nee Tappe) Klein, her brother Jack Klein, and her beloved husband of 48 years, Robert H Kaltenbach.  She is survived by her son, Robert H. Kaltenbach, Jr. (Patty), grandchildren Robert H. Kaltenbach, III, and Katherine Kaltenbach as well as many loving nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.

Peggy’s journey into the world of entertainment began at a young age.  Her parents started a small talent booking agency in 1930 from their home in Ohio.  Even as a small girl Peggy worked alongside her parents learning the business of booking and producing shows that quickly would become her life’s work and passion.   Whether performing on stage, or working behind the scenes, she learned all aspects of the business.  As the company, Klein’s Attractions, grew, it quickly became one of the fastest growing talent agencies in Ohio and the surrounding states, specializing in providing all types of entertainment for state fairs, county fairs, and festivals.

Following her marriage to Bob Kaltenbach in 1948, Bob and Peggy worked side by side building Klein’s Attractions into what would eventually become one of the most successful and most respected agencies in the entertainment industry.  As the outdoor entertainment business changed and concerts became more the norm, Peggy was instrumental in bringing some of the biggest artists in the world to fairs and festivals nationwide. Working alongside artists as diverse as Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Johnny Cash, The Oak Ridge Boys, and The Charlie Daniels Band, Peggy booked thousands of artists over her career.

Following her husband’s death in 1993, Peggy continued to work day to day in the business alongside her son and his family until her retirement at 85 years old in 2010.  Even after retirement, Peggy’s guidance and expertise helped shape the family business – now known as Klein’s Entertainment – as it heads into its 88th year of operation, now spanning 4 generations of family involvement, something Peggy was extremely proud of.

Over the years, Peggy was a member of many industry organizations such as the Academy of Country Music (ACM), The Country Music Association (CMA), The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), The International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), The Ohio Fair Managers Association (OFMA) as well as many other individual state fair and festival associations.  Peggy & Bob were inducted into the IEBA Hall Of Fame in 2014 and Peggy was inducted into the OFMA Hall of Fame in 2010.

Peggy and her husband Bob moved to the Chicago area in 1957 settling into their home in Palatine in 1969 where she remained until 2013. Through the years Peggy was active in many community organizations including serving as president for the Palatine Township Republican Women’s Club and serving as an election judge for many years in her precinct.  Her hobbies included cooking and hosting friends and family at her home.  She was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Peggy’s family, including many loving nieces and nephews, as well as her extended family of friends will miss her charm, wit, and vibrant spirit.