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Mary Darlene Klepper

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Funeral services for Mary Darlene Klepper, 76, of Purcell, formerly of Wanette, were held at 2 p.m. Friday, December 13, 2019 at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.

Mrs. Klepper 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 Oklahoma City 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 50s 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 her father, Homer Peltier; mother and stepfather, Estelle and Woodrow Wheeler; husband, Kenneth Klepper in 1998 and brother, Robert Wheeler.

She is survived by her 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; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. 

Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.