Harold Kleppe

Harold Kleppe, 89, Dawson, was called to his heavenly home on June 9, 2008. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at Dawson Lutheran Church with Rev. Robert Lynne officiating. Burial will be in the Dawson Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 9:00 pm Thursday at Eastgate Steele Memorial Chapel, Steele and will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Harold "Gramps" was born on September 18, 1918, in Kintyre, ND, the son of Karl and Annie Hansen Kleppe. He married Shirley Mae Plath on November 22, 1951. Harold and Shirley were blessed with seven children, Anne, Harlan, Korrine, Robert Bob, Carmaine, Gerald Jerry, and Lloyd. Harold and Shirley began ranching in Dawson in 1951, naming the ranch Kleppe Hereford Ranch. Harold sold breeding stock throughout the United States, Canada, and several other foreign countries. Harold was inducted into the American Polled Hereford Association Hall of Fame in 1974 and was named the North Dakota Polled Hereford Man of the Year in 1977. He judged many of the large Polled Hereford shows in both the United States and Canada. He helped organize the state's Polled Hereford Association and was a member of its first board of directors. In 1991, Harold and his brother, Russell, were honored when the prestigious North Dakota Winter Show "Standard of Perfection Show" was dedicated to them. Harold will be remembered as an expert horseman who enjoyed training cutting horses. He enjoyed playing cards and watching Twins baseball. Harold especially cherished time with his grandchildren. He was a kind, gentle, and patient soul who will be missed by many. Harold is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Anne and Tim Herman, Bismarck, Korrine and Lonny Lang, Sterling and Carmaine Kleppe, Bismarck; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Harlan, Bob and Ruth, Jerry and Tina, and Lloyd and Karen, all of Dawson; and a brother, Russell, Steele. Harold was "Gramps" to eight grandchildren, Karli Lang Ghering, Kelsey Lang and fiancé Chad Anderson, Tyler and Jared Herman, Ashley Pat Mittleider, Brittney Kleppe, Cheyenne and Sheridan Kleppe and two great-grandchildren, Tanner Ghering and Taryn Mittleider. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his parents, Karl and Annie and two brothers Warren "Bud" and Kenny Kleppe.

Harold Kleppe

September 18, 1918 - June 9, 2008