Dennis G. Kleppe

Dennis G. Kleppe, 83 of Lost Nation, IA peacefully passed away on February 21,2021 at home surrounded by family.

Visitation will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lost Nation on Tuesday, February 23rd from 4-7 pm and before the service. A funeral service will be on Wednesday 24th at 10:00 am and will  be Live Streamed. It is required to utilize face masks and to observe social distancing guidelines during the services.  Dawson Funeral Services of Maquoketa is caring for  the family.

Born September 16,1937 in West Union, IA to Bert and Inez (Hanson) Kleppe. Dennis was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in West Union. He attended Dover township rural school before entering school at West Union. At the age of 14 he stayed and helped Donald and Lois Winter on their farm, they became family to him. At 18 Dennis started hauling can milk for the Elgin Creamery. A year later he purchased his own milk hauling business while continuing to work for the Winters. Farming was always his passion and he enjoyed being able to work on things in the shop.

He met his wife Joan (Martens)Kleppe at the roller-skating rink at Ossian, IA where they would go all the time. They were married December 21, 1957. In 1960 he sold his milk route and truck which he then went to work for Reilly’s Construction from Ossian. They relocated to Elwood, IA where they rented from Frank Hanson which eventually, he went to work for them on their farm. In 1965 Dennis and Joan went farming on their own by Lost Nation, IA. They farmed there until 1973, when they purchased a 416-acre farm north of Canton. Farming was his love, once a farmer always a farmer. He enjoyed raising hogs, beef cattle and milking cows. If he was not doing chores you would find him in the shop working on things. Dennis and Joan moved to Lost Nations to semi retire from farming due to health reasons in 1999. He loved go to his brother Roger’s to help him on his farm.

Dennis is survived by his wife Joan (Martens) Kleppe, 4 children Gale Kleppe of Anamosa, IA, Vicky (Max) McNeil of Preston, IA, Valori Marr of Dubuque, Gary (Debbie) Kleppe of Delmar, IA,  sister Deb(Allen) Chensvold, brothers Roger(Connie) Kleppe, Jim(Patti) Kleppe, Doug Kleppe, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Inez Kleppe, two brothers that died at birth, daughter in law Karen Kleppe, nephew Michael Kleppe, in laws John and Florence Martens, brother and sister-in-law Harlan and Marlene Nesvik.

We would like to thank everyone for their care and support during this time. As Dennis liked to support organizations around Lost Nation, so in lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fire Department, Food Pantry, Booster Club or Lions.

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