Phyllis Maxine Kleppin, 98, longtime Valley County educator passed away on April 2nd, 2017 at Valley View Home in Glasgow, Montana.
Services will be held on Thursday, April 6th, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Montana. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Glasgow, Montana. Bell Mortuary is assisting with arrangements.
Phyllis was born in Frankfort, South Dakota to Carl and Helen (Gray) Kleppin of Richland and Glasgow. The family moved to Richland, Montana in 1927. Phyllis loved to work with her dad on the farm. She graduated from Glasgow and continued her education at Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana. Phyllis taught in Park Grove, Ekalaka, Malta and Glasgow.
After Phyllis retired from teaching she was active in farming by Richland, Montana. She enjoyed her friends and family gatherings as well as gardening and camping. Phyllis took pride in keeping in touch with all her former students.
She was the sole surviving founder of Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a women’s education honorary. She lovingly served that organization in many capacities. She served as longtime organist for the Glasgow Methodist Church and was an active member of the United Methodist Women.
Phyllis is survived by special friends, Sam, Myra and Tony Gundermann, Richard and Kari Wiens and Dick and Darlene Fulton; and cousins in South Dakota.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Helen Kleppin and her sister Ione Kleppin.
Carolyn Bachtold says
You will be missed! Rest in peace my friend! Ione, your dog, and many friends and relatives are waiting for you. LOVE Carolyn
Dolores Candee Matuska says
I have never forgotten her and always wondered what happened to her. She was my first grade teacher and being raised on the farm, I was afraid that first day. She was so kind, but I still cried and was scared. She must have been only 22 years old since I was 6 when I started school. I can’t remember all of my elementary teachers, but I never forgot her.
Jamie Holmes says
When I was a kid I lived next door to her. We would mow her lawn for her and she would always thanks us with cookies and paid us well.
Pat Knierim says
Miss Kleppin was my third grade teacher, in a sunny room filled with blooming geraniums. She taught us to fight read to play a small instrument, like a recorder. We memorized lots of terms for aircraft to equip us for the future. She took time to send me a Valentine when I had to miss the class party. She seemed to enjoy my stories at the table at Valley View this winter.
Lilla Flesjer says
Phyllis lived across the street from Gladys Flesjer. They did many things together. They would watch each morning for the other one to open their curtains.
Lisa Seekins says
When we went to visit my Grandparents, we always walked across the street to see Phyllis. She would always ask us about school and our music classes. We enjoyed our visits to her house. When I had my own children, she gave me some lessons to use with them from when she was a teacher. She was a great neighbor for my Grandma. She will be missed.
Karen Rickman says
One of my favorite teachers. Have never forgotten the fun she brought to learning and her warm welcoming smile that every teacher should have. Feel very blessed to have had the privilege of learning from and knowing such a wonderful teacher and person.