(permission granted)
Mary Darlene Klepper age 76, of Purcell, formerly of Wanette, passed away
Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at her home in Purcell.
Darlene was born
July 11, 1943, in Pratt, Kansas. She was the younger of two children
born to Homer M. Peltier and Estelle Chambers. Darlene grew up a farm
girl near Wanette. She first attended Jumper Country School and later
Wanette High School, graduating with the class of 1961. While in high
school she worked for her grandparents at their country store. After
high school she moved to the OKC area, attended business school and
worked for Fred Jones Ford. While working for Fred Jones she bought her
first Ford Mustang and, did a little bit of racing.
Darlene married the love of her life, Kenneth E. Klepper on
February 19, 1966. They first lived in Purcell, then in 1970, they moved
to her family farm west of Wanette. Darlene worked for many years as a
teacher’s aide and as a secretary for Wanette Schools. Then while in her
50’s she enjoyed traveling to various countries and staying with Kenneth
while he worked overseas. Two years after Kenneth passed away in 1998,
Darlene moved to Purcell to be close to her daughter and grandchildren.
She then worked a short time at the University of Oklahoma.
While living in Wanette, Darlene was a faithful member of the
Wanette First Baptist Church. While her children were growing up she
served as a cook at Falls Creek and taught vacation bible school. After
moving to Purcell she attended Emanuel Baptist.
Darlene was a talented artist and enjoyed oil painting. While
her grandchildren were growing up she enjoyed babysitting them and going
to their sporting events. She will be remembered as a loving mother and
grandmother. She was also a dear friend to all who knew her.
She was
preceded in death by:
Father, Homer Peltier,
Mother and Step-Father, Estelle and Woodrow Wheeler,
Husband, Kenneth Klepper in 1998,
Brother, Robert Wheeler.
She is
survived by:
Daughter, Toni Koerner and husband Chris of Purcell,
Son, Kenny Klepper of Wanette,
Three grandchildren, Vanessa Trammell and husband Randy of Newcastle,
Jazmine Koerner of Purcell and
Justin Koerner of Moore.
Three great grandchildren, Cameron, Zaleigh and Grayson.
Also several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Friday, December 13, 2019, at
Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell.
Interment will be at
Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.
