Ruth Kloppel

Viola Ruth (Lemley) Kloppel, 100, of Great Falls, passed away on Friday, February 19, 2016 at the Grandview following a brief illness. An 84 year Congregational Church member, a celebration of Ruth’s 100 years with us will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the United Church of Christ in Fairfield, MT, where she was a member for 65 years. Burial will be in the Sunset Hills Cemetery with a private family service. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Born October 16, 1915 in Monroe County, Iowa, Ruth Kloppel was the only child of Lila E. (Lockridge) and Mahlon J. Lemley. She attended school there and was an Iowa Champion Speller. At the age 11, Ruth began high school at Chariton, Iowa before moving with her parents to Hemingford, Nebraska where she graduated valedictorian from Hemingford High School in 1931 at the age of 15. After high school, Ruth worked in a grocery store for a year before marrying Kenneth Niles Kloppel on July 27, 1932. Starting their married life in the depth of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, they farmed in western Nebraska and helped Ken’s father in the dairy business, finally buying the herd and supplying raw milk to the town of Hemingford by home delivery. With no automation or refrigeration, days were long and hard. In 1951 Ruth moved with her family to a farm northeast of Fairfield, Montana where she and Kenneth continued running a dairy and a diversified farm. In 1956, Ruth went to work at the Teton County Extension office in Fairfield. In 1958 she began working at the First National Bank of Fairfield where she remained until her retirement in 1978. She and Kenneth moved from the farm into Fairfield in 1978. Through her work at the bank, Ruth knew everyone in the community and she was able to be more involved in community and church activities. They moved to Great Falls in 1988 when Kenneth’s health issues demanded more medical services. Following Kenneth’s death in 1991, Ruth maintained an active lifestyle, spending several winters in Arizona and continuing to drive herself to work out at the Peak until she was 98. Ruth’s main focus in life was her family and she remained involved and supportive in all their lives. Her wisdom, input and advice was sought and welcomed by all, across the generations. Ruth lived alone in their home until January 26, 2016. Surviving Ruth are her children: Patricia Shetler, Mesa, AZ; Linda Cunningham, Missoula, MT; Richard (Mende) Kloppel, Great Falls, MT; and David Kloppel, also of Great Falls. Survivors also include 11 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 4 step-great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren with a 6th to arrive in June. Ruth also leaves many friends at the Peak and in the Great Falls and Fairfield communities whose lives she touched. In addition to her parents and husband, preceding Ruth in death were a son, Kae Kloppel, daughter Kathleen (died at birth), daughter Carolyn Hardin, and three sons-in-law, Lee Shetler, Hoddy Cunningham, and Tom Hardin. Ruth and her family extend their most heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Silver Lining Home Care and to the exceedingly kind, caring, and compassionate health care professionals at the Grandview. Ruth’s last days could not have been spent in a more loving environment. Memorials are suggested to United Church of Christ, PO Box 548, Fairfield, MT 59436.