Arthur Rudolph Kleppe Jr.

Arthur (Art, Dad, Pop Pop), Rudolph Kleppe, Jr., 94, died peacefully in his sleep - not even 15 hours into getting to rehab - after five incredible healing days in patient at Advent Healthcare in Apopka. (We need to thank countless nurses and doctors and techs!)

Art died on Thursday, October 22, 2026 two days after what would have been his father's 126th birthday!

Born on December 18, 1931, in Montclair, New Jersey, Art was welcomed into a very loving family. His mother, Marguerite Hayes Kleppe, came from a large Irish family, and his father, Arthur Rudolph Kleppe, Sr., the younger of two children - Aunt Florrie being his unmarried older sister, also came from a family of a substance (and SO many stories). Arthur, and his one younger brother, Andrew William Kleppe, who predeceased Art (and Art missed him terribly over the past two years), were born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey.

Art and Andy lived on Saint Lukes Place in Montclair (where their parents Rete and Art, rented their home from birth through college). Art and Andy were, for all intents and purposes, raised as twins. They both were altar boys, caddies, attended public kindergarten, then Immaculate Conception grammar and high school - until Art's junior year - when something happened - and he was transferred to Montclair High School. Andy apparently did nothing wrong, but he followed Art's lead. Art - then Andy - were "sent" to The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Art was probably on probation all four years - while Andy earned stripes and accolades.

Art/Arthur and Andrew/Andy were the treasures of the Hayes', and Kleppe, families. Rete and Art had married in their 30s - much earlier than Rete's sisters and brothers. Art and Andy were devoted sons, grandsons and nephews, to Aunts Florrie, Abby, Agnes, Esther, and countless "non-blood" aunts. They also were devoted nephews to their Uncles Ed ("Father Ed"), Andrew, Bill, Harry and Frank. Art and Andy were, truly, angels - good men - who were "in touch" with their feminine sides - which made them "five star" husbands, fathers, sons, nephews, and grandsons.

For 70 beautiful years, Arthur was the beloved husband of Elsie Christensen Kleppe, with whom he shared a great love story, one that began slowly and persistently. They met at "the Jersey shore" on a blind date while both were in college, and even though Elsie's parents did NOT think Arthur was "good enough" for their Elsie, he and she perserved and they married on January 21, 1956 - 6 months after Elsie graduated college, while Art was in basic training at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia.

Art loved being a husband, but, he also loved being a dad - a coach - a mentor - an uncle - a grandfather - a comedian. He was the proud father of Karen Jean, Arthur Rudolph Kleppe III, Kenneth George, Kevin William, Katherine Anne and Keith Robert (reportedly, Art and Elsie's "masterpiece"). He truly appreciated his sons-in-law, the late August/Gus Lembo and James/Jamie Lawton and his daughters-in-law, Barbara Korolevich Kleppe, Deborah Kocoloski Kleppe, Lori Henicle Kleppe, the late Leslie Kinces Kleppe, and Rachel Williams.

He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Marguerite "Meg" Lembo, her husband, John Cape, and their children, Liliana, Oliver, and Ayla; Kaylyn Kleppe Ackerman and her husband, Evan; Daniel Amedeo Lembo: David Arthur Kleppe and his wife Brittany Schillizzi Kleppe, and their children, Avery, Jolene, Noylyn and Wesley; Scott Kenneth Kleppe and his wife, Danielle Herington Kleppe, and their children, Charlotte ("Charlie"), Levi and Theodore; Kristin Kleppe Fuller, and her husband, Matthew Fuller, and their children, Raelyn and Mackenzie; Elisabeth Theresa Lembo, and her significant other, Trevor Newton; Kyle Joseph Kleppe; Luke Robert Kleppe and his wife, Nicole Janiga Kleppe, and their son, Lawson Kleppe; Kevin and Abby Saunders Kleppe; Ellen Lawton Puzycki, and her husband, Kurt Puzycki, and their soon-to-be-born-son; Grace Elsie Lawton and her fiancé, Erik Baier; Owen Keith Kleppe, and his fiancée, Emma Warnsman; Julia Lee Kleppe; Kelly Lynn Kleppe; and Julie Nancy Låwton.

Elsie and Arthur met - fell head over heels in love - and married January 21, 1956. He and his wife, Elsie Christensen (a proud graduate of the Academy of St. Elizabeth's and then Saint Elizabeth's College), moved to Fort Stewart, Hinesville, Georgia, where their first child, Karen Jean, was born in 1956. Arthur Rudolph Kleppe III and Kenneth George Kleppe followed, in short order ( 1958 & 1959), and then Kevin William Kleppe and Katherine Anne Kleppe were born in 1961 and 1965 in Atlanta, Georgia. Keith Robert Kleppe - Arthur and Elsie's "masterpiece" was born in Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1969.

Karen's husband, August/Gus, died in February 2026 - after 45 years of marriage to Karen; Arthur Rudolph Kleppe, III, pre-deceased Arthur in September 2017, having been married to the love of his life, Barbara Korolevich Kleppe, for 32 years; Kenneth George Kleppe, married Debra Kocoloski Kleppe in 1984, and remains married to her!; Kevin William Kleppe, married Lori Henicle Kleppe, in 1994, and they, too, remain married!; Katherine Anne Kleppe married James Michael Lawton in 1994, and also remain married!; and Keith Robert Kleppe, whose first wife, Leslie Kinces Kleppe, died in 2016, and who whose second wife, Rachel Williams, he married in 2024.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kishore Ranadive, Dr. Jason Salugubang, all those who cared for Arthur at Advent Health Care Apopka over the last week of his life as well as all who ministered to Art in the ER and on the fourth floor - Room 4124.

With a special hug to Ukamaka, Silzie, Remz, Maritza, A.J., Celene, Adriana, Nia, Rebecca, Regina, and all the doctors involved in his care. You were all angels to our Earth Angel Arthur.

We also extend our love to Arthur's neighbors/close friends, Ana Munoz and her children, Bruce and Tanya Cameron, and ALL those on Granaway Court who were always there for Art and Elsie. Arthur also cannot forget Sheila, who made him look SO good.

Art loved his wife, loved his children, loved his church (St. Francis), loved his stock trading, and EBAY fun. He loved his garage sale finds. He loved his gardeniong skills learned from Lyle and her sister. Arthur loved life!

Arthur loved meeting people. He loved listening to people. He was a treasure to his family, and to this world.

Hug your partner. Love your children. Do something KIND for your neighbor. Think: WWAD, and you will be fine! And? "Leave it alone!"

Do something kind for your fellow woman/man -- in Art's memory today, and the world will be a better place for it.