Wade Arthur Kleppe

Wade Arthur Kleppe, 80, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021. Born in Radisson, WI on June 13, 1941 he was a son of the late Christian B. Kleppe and Blanche (Knudsen) Kleppe.

Wade grew up in Strongsville on the Hinchcliff farm where his parents worked, now the site of the Strongsville Mall. He learned to drive by operating a tractor on the farm and was proud that he received a driver’s license without taking an exam.  After graduating from Strongsville High School in 1961, Wade worked as a machinist for over 30 years at Advance Brush in Cleveland and for 5 years at MTD in Valley City, Ohio. He was a dedicated father and family man active in Cub Scouts and coaching baseball through the Strongsville recreation program for over a decade. He was a devout Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fan. An avid gardener, Wade enjoyed growing many varieties of tomatoes from seed often giving away more tomato plants than he kept. Like his father, he enjoyed making bird feeders from scrap lumber. He enjoyed watching WWE wrestling and discussing the matches with his grandson, Andy. Wade and Joyce enjoyed 15 years of retirement in Columbia South Carolina.  While in Columbia, Wade was active in attending various exercise classes at the local YMCA, taking walks with Joyce, volunteering in the REACH elementary school reading program and keeping his neighborhood clean by picking up litter.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 58 years, Joyce Kleppe; daughter, Renee Kleppe-Bach (Dan );  son, Steve Kleppe (Debbie), grandchildren Andy, Ashley and AJ and sister Sharon Marple (Lane). A memorial service will be held at a later date in the Strongsville, Ohio area, where Wade spent most of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

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