Lee Kleppe

Lee A. Kleppe, 61, passed away on October 15, 2021 after a short battle with cancer. Lee Alan Kleppe was born June 1, 1960, in Postville, Iowa to Donald and Marlys (McNelley) Kleppe. Lee was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Ossian, Iowa. He grew up on a farm outside of West Union, Iowa and graduated from North Fayette High School in 1979. 

Lee worked for Knutson Farms and Walmart. He enjoyed watching movies, (especially Christmas ones) wrestling on TV, watching the Hallmark channel with Ella and listening to country and rock ‘n roll music. Lee also enjoyed spending time on the farm with Mija, his dog, and his wife, Ella. Lee’s friends and family said he was a simple man. He loved to make others laugh and joke with them. One of his favorite things to do was to help decorate for holidays with Ella, especially Christmas. He had many nicknames, while working on the farm. On the farm he was known as ‘Baldie’ but to family he was known as ‘Flowers’. Lee also had a love for Mexican food and drinking his favorite, Busch Lite. 

In his life, Lee was married to his first wife, Kathy Ihns and they share two daughters. They later divorced. Lee was united in marriage to Ella Montoya on May 26, 2002 at First Lutheran Church. 

Lee was proceeded in death by his parents, Donald and Marlys, maternal and paternal grandparents, his brother Wayne and his in-laws, Lee and Prescilla Montoya. 

Lee is survived by his wife, Ella of West Union, his daughters Heidi Meyer (Jason) of Ossian, Leann (Ross) Kennedy of Cresco, his two step-children Rhonda (Chad) Oakland of Hawkeye, Robert Whitcher of Waterloo, his sister-in-law Rhonda Miller of West Union, his sister Shari King of McGregor, his brother Mark (Angie) of Ossian, his grandchildren Damon, Riley, Kaydn Meyer, Kara, James, and Boss Kennedy. His two step-granddaughters Silvia Oakland and MacKenzie Whitcher, along with five nephews, three nieces and one great nephew.

A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Stavanger Lutheran Church, Ossian, Iowa with a visitation one hour before services from 10-11 a.m. at the church on Saturday.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.