Arne Leonard Kleppe
Arne Leonard Kleppe, 81, of Gonvick, MN passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at his home in Gonvick, Minnesota.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Elim Lutheran Church in Clearbrook, Minnesota. A visitation will be held one hour prior. Interment will be held at Elim Lutheran Cemetery in the spring. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com
Arne Leonard Kleppe, 81, of Gonvick, Minn., died Saturday, December 20, 2025, at his home. Arne was born January 23, 1944, in Bagley, Minn. The son of Roy and Mae Kleppe, Arne was a farmer by vocation and nature lover by avocation with the two intertwining throughout his lifetime.
Arne grew up working hard alongside his siblings on the family’s farm near Clearbrook, Minn. He was a quiet, kind, country boy who loved to play horseshoes.
Even at a young age, his affinity for wildlife and hunting was apparent. He grew up hunting ducks, grouse and deer as well as trapping during the winter. He and his siblings were known to spend Sundays out hiking in the woods or along a creek.
Arne married the love of his life, Carol Jean Carlson, on October 18, 1985. He even walked five miles—in snowshoes—the first time he stopped by Carol’s home to visit her. Arne and Carol woke up together each morning to do chores and farm work throughout the day. They ended each day the same way it started, together.
Arne took pride in, placed great importance on and received much joy from doing his utmost best to be a good steward of the land, livestock, wildlife and gifts God entrusted to his care. Hunting was a good excuse to spend time in the woods. Later in life, if he caught anything, it was a bonus. He was as avid about watching and feeding wildlife as hunting. Arne could happily sit on a stump out in the woods and feel closest to God. He was named the 1997 Minnesota conservationist of the year.
Arne treasured being a father to his late children, Arla, Anders and Alex. They brought light and great joy to his life. Arne will always be remembered for his quiet smile and twinkling eyes leading up to jokes that were frequently witty, sometimes mischievous, and always sure to bring a smile to your face. He was a member of Elim Lutheran Brethren Church.
He is survived by his wife; brother Roger L. (Jean) Kleppe of North Branch, Minn.; sisters Linda (Wendell) Walton of Buffalo, Minn., and Ardell (Chuck) Redder of Northfield, Minn.; sister-in-law Sherry Kleppe of Horace, N.D.; and numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews and great nieces as well as a host of friends as close as family. He was preceded in death by his children, parents, brother Vernon Kleppe and niece Kimberly Redder.
Funeral services will be Saturday, December 27 at 2 p.m. at Elim Lutheran Brethren Church in Clearbrook, Minn., with Pastor Adam Krog officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted with the arrangements.