Leslie B. Kleppe

Leslie B. Kleppe, 89, Elgin, Iowa, died Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Central Community Hospital, Elkader, Iowa. 

Leslie Bernell, the son of Alfred and Hilda (Torkelson) Kleppe, was born April 7, 1925 in Dover Township, rural West Union, Iowa.

He was baptized and confirmed at Stavanger Lutheran Church, rural Ossian, Iowa. 

He attended country school through eighth grade in Dover Township. 

Les served in the U.S. Army and was trained as a diesel mechanic. 

Leslie was united in marriage with Fern Friederich on July 25, 1946.  To this union four children, Gary, Gayle, Gregg, and Gwen, were born. 

Les worked as a mechanic at Richard Osterhaus’ Garage in Clermont.  He then worked as a cream and milk hauler for the Elgin Creamery. 

To fulfill a dream, Les and Fern bought a family farm south of Elgin in 1957. A second farm, “The Other Place/The Ponderosa” was purchased in 1963. 

While farming, Les also drove school bus for the Valley Community Schools for eight years.  Les and Fern continued their dairy operation until 1995 and “retired” in 1997.   

After his “retirement” Les returned to his lifelong passion of restoring and fixing old tractors and gasoline engines. His last restoration was a 1947 Jeep. He could still be found at the farm every day until Les, Fern, and Lilly their cat moved to Elkader in November of 2014

Les was a longtime member of the Elgin Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council. 

He was a member of the Elgin Co-Op Board and the Elgin Fire Department.  Les and his family were selected to be the U.S.D.A./Farmers Home Administration Family of the Year in 1976. 

He loved playing cards, dancing, woodworking, and metalworking.  He was a problem solver and could make and repair anything.  He loved to farm and was a very good caretaker of livestock.  He felt that being a good neighbor was one of the more important attributes in life. 

Les is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Fern; four children, Dr. Gary (Debra) Kleppe of Monroe, Wisconsin; Gayle (Beau Wold) Kleppe of Eleva, Wisconsin; Gregg (Rev. Lori) Kleppe of Elgin, Iowa; and Gwen (J.D.) Van Dee of Deep River, Iowa; six grandchildren, Jen (Andrew Berge) Kleppe, Dr. Chris (Amber) Kleppe, Jeffrey Kleppe, CTI1, John Leslie Kleppe, Maria Van Dee, and Easton Van Dee; one sister, Evelyn Marovets of Monona, Iowa; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Alma Berg of West Union, Iowa, Raymond (Murtis) Friederich of Postville, Iowa; Beverly Friederich of West Union, Iowa; Jim (Delores) Friederich of West Union, Iowa; Robert (Shirley) Friederich of Postville, Iowa; Bernice Friederich of Oelwein, Iowa; Marian Friederich in Colorado; and George Mueller of West Union, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Les was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Hilda; three brothers, Adrian, Harold Arnold, and Eugene, who died in infancy; three sisters, Helen Loftsgard, Margaret Larson, and Vivian Mueller; and twenty-two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.       

Visitation was on Sunday, February 15, 2015 from 2-5 pm at Elgin Lutheran Church, Elgin, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Monday.

Funeral Services were held on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Elgin Lutheran Church, Elgin, Iowa with Rev. Jerome Godson as the Officiant.

Burial followed in Elgin Cemetery with Military Rites by the Elgin American Legion Post #352, Elgin, Iowa.

Condolences may be left with: www.graufuneralhomes.com.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa helped the family with arrangements.

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