ELLINWOOD — Lawrence A. Klepper, 72, passed away unexpectedly in Ellinwood on April 24, 2020. Lawrence was born to parents Norman and Ann (Musenberg) Klepper on November 3, 1947 in Great Bend. He attended St. Joseph School in Ellinwood, St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays, and later graduated from St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City.
Larry married Jean King on December 28, 1970 in Syracuse, KS. He worked for Western Power in Dodge City and Aid Feedlot in Ulysses, KS before moving to Ellinwood in 1975 when he began farming. Lawrence worked as a farmer and rancher in the Ellinwood area until his retirement in 2018. Memberships include St. Joseph Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council #1187. He also served in the Army National Guard.
Larry believed in Catholic school education and helped start the St. Joseph School endowment fund. He served on the school boards for St. Joseph School and the Ellinwood school district. He was active on the Co-op board for many years. As an avid hunter, he enjoyed teaching his sons and grandchildren how to hunt. In his retirement, he restored a 1948 Chevy pickup and entered it in car shows.
Larry and Jean regularly attended sporting events for their grandchildren together. For holidays, they enjoyed coming up with activities to entertain the family, from haunted hay bales at Halloween, to a cardboard box maze one Thanksgiving, to gift auctions at Christmas.
Survivors include wife, Jean Klepper, Ellinwood, KS; daughter, Kristi (Andy) Ernsting, Overland Park; sons, Jeff (Gwen) Klepper, Ellinwood, Scott (Jennifer) Klepper, Ellinwood; brother, Richard (Connie) Klepper, LaVeta, CO; brother-in-law, Jerry Ware (Rachelle), Wichita; sisters, Marlene (David) Panning, Great Bend, and Diane (Ed) Nemnich, Ellinwood. Additional survivors include 8 grandchildren: Drew, Jake, Lane, Ashtin, Grant, Vivian, Jesyln, and Rozlyn. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Joyce Ware.
Due to current restrictions, a private Funeral Mass will take place with Father Terrance Klein officiating, followed by interment at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Public visitation will take place at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Minnis Chapel on Sunday, April 26. There will be no public rosary/vigil service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Joseph School Endowment in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS. There will be a link to view the Funeral Mass posted after the service. Condolences to the family may be posted at www.minnischapel.org
Funeral arrangements provided by
Minnis Chapel
PO Box 246
Ellinwood, KS 67526
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 26, 2020
