Wanda R. Kleppe

Wanda R. Kleppe, age 81, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital.   She was born to Elmer and Lillie (Cook) Landon on December 6, 19 27 in Letts , Iowa , the twelfth of seventeen children. She met Lyle Kleppe when they both worked at Grain Processing Corporation in Muscatine , Iowa .   They were married on Easter Sunday in April of 1952 and moved to Madison later that year. Over the years, Wanda was very active at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church where she and Lyle were among the original members. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School , and mid-week Bible classes. She was also active in the Women's Guild and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. In addition, she volunteered for the Literacy Council, helped elderly neighbors, and in many ways ministered to those less fortunate. Wanda was a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker. She spent many hours sewing clothes for her children, canning fruits and vegetables from the garden, and making holidays special for her family. When her children were grown, Wanda studied practical nursing at MATC and worked at Mendota Mental Health Institute for fifteen years. Upon retirement, Wanda enjoyed crocheting, quilting, babysitting for grandchildren, card club, and traveling to visit family. Wanda is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Lyle Kleppe of Madison, four children; Randall (Virginia) Kleppe of Jackson, MI , Rebecca (Daniel) Schneider of Annandale, VA , Lorna (Jeffrey) Schultz of Cottage Grove, WI , Jennifer Kleppe of Madison, WI , seven grandchildren; Anna Kleppe, Ross Kleppe, Eric Schneider, Luke Schneider, Joel Schneider, David Schultz, Kimberly Schultz, two sisters; Lauretta Watkins of Arizona and Bonnie (Chester) Damon of New York, two special nieces; Connie (James) Brown of Iowa and Eva (Gary) Scales of Texas and many other relatives and friends.   She was preceded in death by her parents, nine brothers and five sisters. Memorial services will be held at CHRIST MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2833 Raritan Road, Fitchburg on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jeffrey Meyer officiating.   A visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.   Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 630 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703 or to Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 2833 Raritan Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the many loving caretakers from Midwest Home Care and the nurses from Home Health United. ""But I have trusted in thy steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation."" - Pslam 13:5