Donald Kleppelid, age 87, of Circle.

Donald Alfred Kleppelid, age 87 of Circle, passed away on November 12, 2014 at the McCone County Health Center in Circle.

Donald “Dony” Kleppelid came into this world on November 20, 1926. He was born to Alfred and Rosemond (Palmerton) Kleppelid at the Carr Boarding House in Circle Montana. Dony was given his first bath by 20 year old Helen Carr, who would later become his mother-in-law. Helen always said if she would have known that he was going to marry her daughter Doris, she would have drowned him right then and there!

Dony graduated early his senior year to join the Army in February of 1945 and served for 8 months in the Philippines. After his discharge in November of 1946 he worked as a Carpenter for Idland Construction for a year or so. During that time Dony would fill in at the Circle Post Office when needed, eventually he became a full-time Postal Clerk and later the Postmaster until his retirement on October 8, 1981. Over the years, Dony and his brother Wayne farmed their homestead (The Ponderosa) for many seasons, where Dony loved driving his John Deere tractor. Dony was a long time member of the Lutheran Church and the Circle Lodge #136, where he served as the Treasurer for over 20 years.

On September 17th, 1949 Dony married his high school sweetheart, Doris Katherine Murphy and became Helen (Carr) Murphy’s favorite (only) son-in-law. They later adopted their two daughters, Jeanne and Suzie.

Dony enjoyed giving others a hard time, hoping they would give it back, always looking to have a laugh with everyone. Whenever Doris made a really good meal he would tell her he would probably keep her for another week or two. He always had a nickname for everyone…to his only granddaughter he was her “muttonhead” and she is still his “dingbat”.   You could always count on a lot of bantering when he was playing pinochle with his grandson and sidekick Brandon as his partner, against the girls, a combination of Doris, Grandma Murphy, and his daughter, Suzie. There is no doubt that Dony’s scorecard will show the men are in the lead, contrary to his “little Suzie’s” scorecard!

Dony loved living life to the fullest…he so enjoyed the many years of fishing, swimming, boating, card playing, and “good times” at their Cabin at Fort Peck Lake with their family and many friends. He even enjoyed mowing his yards with his John Deere lawn mower. Dony enjoyed many years in his bowling leagues, Bridge Clubs, poker parties, pinochle games, horseshoe, attending high school sporting events, singing and dancing at their home with family and friends. Never a dull moment to be had with Dony around!

Dony was preceded in death by his parents, brother’s Wilmer and Wayne, sister Esther (Jerry) Jernigan, as well as many other dear-to-his-heart family and friends that he’s likely enjoying a good laugh with in Heaven.

Dony is survived by his “sweety” Doris of 65 years; Daughters: Jeanne (Jeffrey) Shipstead and Suzanne (Jason) Moe; Grandsons: Brandon (Elizabeth) Beery, Trenton (Leah) Shipstead, Connor Shipstead, Mason and Peyton Moe; his only beloved granddaughter, Jerusha Shipstead; Great-grandchildren: Reese, Kael & Mazie Beery and Danica Shipstead; many other family and friends that he cared about so deeply.

Dony was very proud of his daughters and extremely fond of his grandchildren and always let everyone around him know how much. Dony had a special relationship with his nephews, “The Kleppelid Boys”. Dony was a kind soul and had a love that ran deep for his pets, including his grand-dogs. Dony simply enjoyed being around others and making them laugh, but most of all he loved life…he will be missed dearly!

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2014 with the family receiving friends from 4:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2014 at the First Lutheran Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery with full military honors. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Humane Society or to the Montana Rescue Mission of one’s choice. Should friends desire, condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday November 16, 2014

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

Circle, Montana 59215

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Funeral Service

2:00 p.m.

Monday November 17, 2014

First Lutheran Church

Circle, Montana 59215

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Interment with Full Military Honors

Monday November 17, 2014

Riverview Cemetery

Circle, Montana 59215

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