Russell Norman Kleppe

Russell N. Kleppe, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2014, at the Napoleon Care Center at the age of 93. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Napoleon, ND, with Rev. Susan Anderson officiating. As per Russell's request, cremation has taken place. Burial will be at Tell Cemetery, Kintyre. Russell was born December 5, 1920, in Kintyre, ND, the son of Karl and Annie Hansen Kleppe. He grew up on a farm south of Kintyre where he learned his strong work ethic, his respect for others, and his love of freedom, which he carried with him his entire life. He was a World War II Army Veteran, serving from October 1942 – November 1945. During this time, he served in Northern Africa, Sicily, Italy, and into France. After his return from the service, he married Jean M. McAllister on July 27, 1946, in Bismarck, ND. Shortly after, he and his brother, Harold, moved to a farm south of Dawson, ND, where they began raising registered Polled Herefords and horses. After a few years, the brothers decided to form their own ranches, Russell and Jean, starting the KR Ranch. During this time, Russell received many awards; among them Polled Herford Breeder of the Year in 1980. In 1991, Russell and his brother, Harold, were honored with the North Dakota Winter Show "Standard of Perfection Show" award. Russell was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kintyre, ND, charter member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame, a lifetime member of the American Legion, and a member of the ND Stockmen's Association for many years. His passion for "less government and more individual responsibility and with God's help a better world," led him to become a lifetime member of the John Birch Society. Several of Russell's proudest accomplishments were the construction and dedication of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Dawson, ND. In addition to this, he was selected for the Roughrider Honor Flight to Washington, DC, in 2009. Russell was an avid baseball fan, especially the Minnesota Twins, and thoroughly loved a good game of cards, especially pinochle. He was also an avid reader of all historical books. He never worried how controversial the subject was; he firmly believed in honesty, morality, truth, and spoke regardless of whose toes were being stepped on. He had the guts and fortitude to sign his name and address to whatever he wrote, so anyone who disagreed with him could answer him. Russell is survived by his five children, Donald, Richard, Rodney Lee, Margie Larry Stute, and Norman Celeste; 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; son, Ray Pat, parents, Karl and Annie; granddaughter, Markell; and his brothers, Harold, Warren, and Kenneth. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Tell Cemetery or Trinity Lutheran Church, Kintyre.

Russell Norman Kleppe

December 5, 1920 - April 29, 2014