Arlo Klapel

Arlo Klapel, age 68, of Ortonville, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa with Pastor Arlo Janssen officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Casket bearers will be Glen Henningson, Donald Klapel, Marlowe Klepel, Dale Krier, Jim Scheff, and Marlyn Vangsness. Interment will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Odessa.

Arlo Richard Klapel was born on April 23, 1944 to Edward and Luella (Macheledt) Klepel in Big Stone City, SD. He attended Big Stone County School District #48. Arlo lived on the family farm northeast of Odessa until 1984 at which time he moved into Ortonville.

Arlo worked at the Big Stone Canning Factory, was hired by area farmers, helped Big Stone County plant trees, and was a custodian for the Ortonville School system. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa.

Arlo had many interests. He trapped gophers and once caught an albino gopher, which is on display at the Big Stone County Museum. Arlo loved coffee hour and he loved pouring coffee at the Odessa Cafe! Arlo gardened with his mother until she passed away and then continued on his own although to a much smaller scale! He attended auctions. Most of all, Arlo just loved being with people.

On Saturday, March 23, 2013, in the Ortonville Hospital, Arlo was called to his heavenly home after a battle with cancer.

Cherishing his memory is his brother, Daryl (Ladonna) Klapel of Ortonville; his brother-in-law, Art Novak of Ortonville; his nephews: Don (Christy) Klapel of Clear Lake, MN; James (Sandy) Novak of Centennial, CO; Darold Novak of Westminster, CO; and his niece, Denise (Beau) Nutt of Austin, TX.

Preceding him in death was his sister, Arlene Novak, and his parents.