Born in Glen Cove, New York, he moved with his family to the Chicago suburbs. He was educated at Illinois College, in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he majored in Spanish and Elementary Education. He then attended The General Theological Seminary in New York, where he graduated in 1980.

Having grown up in The Episcopal Church, where he served as a choir member, an acolyte, a Sunday School Teacher, a Lay Reader, and more, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons by the Rt Rev Quintin E Primo, Jr, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Chicago. Klusmeyer was appointed to be the Curate at Grace Episcopal Church in Freeport, Illinois. He was ordained Priest by the Rt Rev James W Montgomery, Bishop of Chicago. In early 1982, he was elected Rector of Grace Church, Freeport, where he served until mid-1990. He was then elected Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Wheaton, Illinois. While there, Trinity became active in homeless ministries, children's ministries as well as Transitional Housing.

In 2001, he was elected the 7th Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia. He was consecrated Bishop in 2001, by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold; retired Bishop of West Virginia, Robert P. Atkinson; and (then) current Bishop of Chicago, William Persell. He served on the Board of Trustees of The Virginia Seminary, on the Board of The General Theological Seminary, and also served on the Board of the Bexley-Seabury Seminary, where he served as chair of the board from 2012 until 2020. During his time on the Board, he helped navigate the Federation of the 2 seminaries.

He served as Honorary Chair of the Reynolds Memorial Hospital Board.

He also served on the Board of the West Virginia Council of Churches, and was President of the Council for many years.

He was Chair of the Presiding Bishop's Council of Advice, and served on numerous Commissions, Committees, Agencies and Boards for The Episcopal Church.

Klusmeyer retired on October 13, 2022,].[1]

Three days after his retirement as Bishop of West Virginia, Klusmeyer went back to work for the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church - Michael B Curry. Klusmeyer was asked to work for the Presiding Bishop as his Canon for Ministry Within The Episcopal Church. Klusmeyer served in that capacity for 1 year. He then retired again, and went to work for his wife of more than 45 years!

Bishop Whitmore fills this role at the cathedral. He provides spiritual direction to those who have need. He takes a regular role in the teaching ministry and shares in our

Liturgies. The bishop is a Fond du Lac native and son of the cathedral. Ordained a

priest in 1977 and bishop 1998 he served several parishes and was elected fifth bishop

of the Diocese of Eau Claire where he served for nine years. He then answered a call to

serve as Assistant Bishop of Atlanta in 2008. He served there until 2017 when he

reached mandatory retirement age. Also, while in Atlanta, he served as the Director of

Anglican Studies at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. After

retirement he also served as interim bishop for the Diocese of North Dakota during

covid.

Deacon Mike is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant, decorated with a Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal, and a veteran of Vietnam and Cambodia. Mike earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration from Marian College with graduate studies at Cardinal Stritch University. After attending the Diocese of Fond du Lac Deacon School and was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in 2005.

Mike met his wife Debra at St. Paul’s Cathedral and the two were married there in 1972. Mike has a love of music, particularly bluegrass and folk, and playing banjo, mandolin, guitar and trumpet. An avid reader, Mike enjoys reading American History, World History, science fiction, and theology.