Kleeberger, Ralph 'Mike'

Ralph “Mike” Kleeberger, 87, went home to heaven on Saturday, April 3, 2010, after a long illness. Services: 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at Murdoch Funeral Home, Marion, by the Rev. Michael Kleeberger and the Rev. Seth Kleeberger. The family will greet friends one hour before services Tuesday at the funeral home. Services also will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Kasson, Minn., where family will greet friends one hour before services. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville, Minn.

           Survivors include his wife, Marian of Marion; children, Barbara (Doug) Nelson of Coal Valley, Ill., Michael (Janet) Kleeberger of Cedar Rapids and John (Jackie) Kleeberger of Frontenac, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; a brother, Virgil Kleeberger of Blooming Prairie, Minn.; and sister, Virginia (Joe) Sorenson of Albuquerque, N.M.

           He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Florence Thompson; and three brothers, Maynard, Raymond and Robert Kleeberger.

           Ralph was born Jan. 10, 1923, in Minneapolis, the son of Ralph L. and Flossie (Cranston) Kleeberger. On April 9, 1948, Mike was united in marriage to Marian Pew in Rochester, Minn. He farmed all of his life and drove bulk truck 19 years for Bixby Feed Mill in Bixby, Minn. Ralph was a member of Squaw Creek Baptist Church in Marion and a former member of First Baptist Church in Kasson, Minn. 

Ralph “Mike” Kleeberger was a beloved husband, a devoted and loving father and grandfather, a faithful friend, and an incredible example of integrity and hard work in the midst of adversity. He was a true joy in our lives, was dearly loved, and will be missed by his family and friends until we see him again in heaven.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Please sign the online guest book for Ralph at  under obituaries.