Adolph Klepetka

Adolph Frank Klepetka, age 87, passed away peacefully with family at his side at Munson Medical Center on July 16th, 2019. Adolph was born on October 3, 1931, on the family farm near Lidgerwood, ND.

He worked on the farm with his parents and seven siblings before joining the Air Force on his nineteenth birthday. It was while he was in the Air Force stationed in Empire, that he met his future wife Marianne (VanLeishout) in Traverse City at the Michigan movie theater. They were married on June 6, 1953, at the First Congregational Church on Washington Street in Traverse City, and last month had just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. When his four kids were younger he spent weekends coaching baseball and every year he would drive the family back to North Dakota to visit his relatives and see the country.

Adolph retired from the State Hospital where he worked first in nursing and then in the maintenance department. Adolph really never left the farm, and before and after he retired he would drive all around the area and rototill gardens.

Adolph loved to tease, whether it was his grandkids, greats or local waitresses and cashiers. Adolph liked to go to garage sales, work in his large gardens, work on multiple small engines, welding, collecting clocks and enjoyed watching and feeding the birds. He passed that passion down to his family. He also had great pleasure eating his sweet rolls, pies, and ice cream.

Adolph was preceded in death by his parents (Mary and Frank), brothers Chester, Victor and Albert, sister Alma Orth and brother-in-laws Wilbur Wahl, Eldon Orth and Tready Haugen.

Thanks to Dr. Koszinski, he enjoyed 18 extra years to spend with his wife Marianne, sisters Marcella Wahl, Alice Haugen and brother Ernie. In-Laws Diane, Dixie, Beverly Elaine, Cathy and Eddie. He is survived by his sons John (Merilee) of Ypsilanti MI , Bob (Jodie) of Allen TX, daughters Susan (David) Heydlauff of Traverse City MI, Janet (Michael) Teel of Kalamazoo MI, 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Munson Medical Center who took such great care of our loved one.

Per his wishes there will not be a funeral service. His burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guestbook and share your thoughts and memories with the family.