Duane Klepel

Duane Harvey Klepel was born in Odessa, Minnesota on March 2, 1937. He grew up in St.
Paul, Minnesota and graduated from Concordia Lutheran College in Seward, Nebraska where
he met Joyce (Rahmeier) whom he married on December 26, 1959.

Duane and Joyce moved to New York City where he took his first teaching position at Saint
John's Lutheran school in Queensborough, New York City. During those 2 years daughters
Mary (Brown) and Dawn (Lsuwaratana) were born.

Duane and his small family returned to Minnesota where he worked for Honeywell for 6 years
and then taught high school science in Lynd, Minnesota for 4 years. Two sons, Daniel and
Robert Klepel, were added to the family during this time.

In 1972, Duane felt a prompting from God to sell all his possessions and home and go to Israel
to help seeking people find Jesus. The family enjoyed 2 successful years in Israel. Duane
helped hundreds of young travelers (hippies) find a personal relationship with Jesus during this
time.

In 1974, Duane brought his family back to the United States and bought a house in Rich Hill,
Missouri. After living in Rich Hill for 2 years, he again felt the prompting of the Lord to serve
God overseas. In 1976, Duane sold the house in Rich Hill and the family moved to Thailand
where he served the Lord for 22 years. One more daughter, Judy (Dryer) was added to the
family in Thailand.

In 1998, Duane and Joyce and their daughter, Judy, returned to the United States to care for
their aging parents. After they returned yet another son was added to the family. Rosen joined
the Klepel family on March 2, 1998.

After their parents had passed, Duane once again felt the nudging of the Lord to go overseas in
service to Jesus. In 2013 they traveled to Griffith, Australia, where they lived for 5 years,
teaching religious studies in the public schools and helping with elderly ministry.

Duane and Joyce returned to their Rich Hill home in 2018 where they continued to shine the
light of Jesus to their church friends, neighbors and community.

Duane was a very creative person. He built 4 houses, building the last house when he was in
his 70's. He also started building a few airplanes, but sold them before they were completed.
While living in Thailand, Duane built a 50 foot catamaran boat where he lived with his family for
many years.

Duane will be remembered by all as a humble servant of God who loved to tell everyone about
salvation from sin that is available only through Jesus Christ.

Duane is preceded in death by his father, George Klepel, mother, Esther Dittberner Klepel and
5 siblings: Earl Klepel, Eugene Klepel, Howard Klepel, Donna Klepel, and Ardella Klepel. He is
survived by one sister, Lillian Klepel; his wife of 64 years Joyce; 3 daughters, Mary (David)
Brown, Dawn (Tosh) Lsuwaratana and Judy (Israel) Dryer; and 3 sons, Daniel Klepel, Robert
(Ruth) Klepel and Rosen (Oksana) in addition to 28 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren
and 4 foster children, Morris, Sherry, Bee and Josiah.

Memorial services to celebrate Duane's life will be held online through Facebook on Duane and
Joyce’s Facebook account live streamed on Nov. 4 at 7:00pm CST.

Feel free to join us then or watch the service later. Feel free to share your memories or pictures.