Wayne was born in Circle, Montana on December 13, 1920, the son of Alfred and Rosemond (Palmerton) Kleppelid. He attended Cutting Country School and graduated from Circle High School. Following his schooling he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the European Theatre where he received two purple hearts during his military career. Following his discharge he moved to Fort Peck during the WPA where he met Dorothy Boston whom he married in 1947. They moved to Circle and to this union there were five children (all boys) born. Wayne was employed at Rolandson Implement and later became partners with Sam Brown in Enco Gas station which later became Exxon until 1982 when he bought out Sam. He continued to run the gas station until 2006 when he retired. Wayne´s wife Dorothy passed on and later he married Evelyn Jean Malkuch on September 14, 1963 and to this union, two children (boys) were born.
Wayne enjoyed farming with his brother on the small farm they were raised on. One of dad´s greatest passions was to watch each of his boys play high school sports. Dad added value to each of our lives. Dad will be missed but will continue to live in our memories.
Wayne is survived by his wife Evelyn Kleppelid of Circle, MT; children: Chuck (Betty) Kleppelid of Dallas/Fort Worth, TX and their children Jacque (Jimmy) & Ivy Martinez and Chad (Kelly) Kleppelid all of Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Donnie (Debbie) Kleppelid of Huntsville, TX and their children Ian Kleppelid and Damon, Riley & Lilly all of Huntsville, TX; Lyle (Vickie) Kleppelid of Jackson, MS and their daughter Whitney Kleppelid of Jackson, MS; Kevin (Kim) Kleppelid of Baker, MT and their children JC Kleppelid and Jeff, Stephanie and their daughter Dylann all of Minnesota; Kelley (Corey) Melchior of Dickinson, ND and their children Mason, Maverick and Marshall; Shawn Donelson of Billings, MT and her daughter Lilly; Carrie (Dustin) Gundlach of Baker, MT and their children Ethan, Carlee & Luke; Darrel Kleppelid of Circle, MT; Todd (Tonya) Kleppelid and their sons Trevor and Tyson of Circle, MT ; David (Emmie) Kleppelid and their children Kaitlyn, Nicolette, Breanna, Braden and Kyler all of East Helena; his siblings: Don (Doris) Kleppelid of Circle, MT and Esther Jernigan of North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents: Alfred & Rosemond Kleppelid, a brother Wilmer Kleppelid, wife Dorothy Boston Kleppelid; a brother-in-law Jerry Jernigan, his step-father Art Neubauer and Great grandson Austin Messer.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 for friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Faith Assembly of God Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Riverview Cemetery in Circle with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one´s choice.
Leslie Micheletto says
Dear Jean, I got your message right before we left on our trip, We were out to the vets home to see Wayne the end of August and he looked so good. We are so sorry to hear of his passing. Know we would be there if we could. We will keep you all in our prayers as you lay Wayne to his rest. We Love you! Gene and Leslie
Kim Stanton says
Dear Kleppelid Family,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your beloved Wayne. We are keeping you all close in thought and prayer during this difficult time. May the Holy Spirit, the Divine Comforter, be with you all and bring His everlasting peace. With condolences,
Dan, Kim, Kasey and Kyle Stanton (Miles City)
Carolyn Hogan says
To the Family of Wayne Kleppelid, we want to send your our thoughts and prayers to you at this tough time. God, Bless you. Carolyn
Nita and Ed Crockett says
The Kleppelid Family:
So sorry for your loss. I have such great memories of stopping by at the Exxon and visiting w/Wayne. He always had such a genuine interest in anything we were doing. Even after his retirement, Wayne never lost his caring approach. I am sure you all are heartbroke! Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care
Julie (Taylor) Straub says
Dear Kleppelid family,
I was so sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. His smile, teasing and fun nature always made coming into the Exxon store an adventure. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I pray the Lord’s peace encompass each of you now, easing your pain. God Bless.
Joe and Cheryl Breitbach says
To the Kleppelid Family. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Wayne was a wonderful person, and each time we would go into the Exxon, he would make us feel as though we were the only people he wanted to see or talk to. Truly a special person that has been welcomed into the loving arms of the Lord.
Mary Prevost Dillon says
To Lyle and all the family—my sincere condolences to all of you. It is comforting to know that we will see our loved ones again. My prayers are with you all. Mary Prevost Dillon
Marlene (Nooney) Kent says
I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to come to Montana for the family reunion and spend a little time with you. You were a great uncle. I remember riding around in the gas truck with you when I was in my teens. I will miss you.
Thank you for your service, and rest in peace.
vi (keeler) schiffer says
Dear Jean and families, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Wayne was a wonderful man with the greatest personality. He enjoyed a long life with an awesome family and host of friends to share it with. May he rest in peace and my prayers are with all of you. Vi (Keeler) Schiffer, Billings
Jere and Alexina Sullivan says
Sorry to see where Wayne passed on. He was always verry good to my mom. Showed her great respect and took good care of her car needs.
He and Charley were great friends.
He was always great to me as well as a kid. And I enjoyed hanging around the station from time to time for aoo the joking and fun.
Jere Sullivan
Spokane Wa.
Judy Hastetter Walter says
Jean and family:
So sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. I have so many fond memories of him at the Exxon and riding around on that four wheeler. What a wonderful generation of men are leaving us. My thoughts are with you all!
Tracie Engle-Sentiger says
Oh Wayne you will so be missed, I wish I had given you a call! Hugs and kisses to you Jean! Take care I hope to see you soon! Love Tracie