Marcia Kleppe

MARCIA KLEPPE

Clarence

Marcia Deann Kleppe, 69, of Clarence, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, in the Clarence Nursing Home

after a two-year battle with cancer. Memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, St. John's United Church of Christ, Clarence, by the Rev. David Mears. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Chapman Funeral Home in Clarence.

She was born March 31, 1944, in Anamosa, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Goldie Winchip Benischek. On Aug. 1, 1968, Marcia married Richard Kleppe in Clarence. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this past summer.

Marcia graduated from Olin High School in 1962. She played varsity basketball all four years, scoring over 1,000 points. She also went to the 1962 state high school golf tournament. Marcia graduated from the University of Iowa in 1966.

She worked as a social worker in California and Cedar Rapids. She later returned to the university to earn a graduate degree in high school counseling. She was first hired at Bennett, where she taught and coached. She later served as a counselor and coach at Oxford Junction and Lost Nation. She was also at North Scott for two years. Marcia then returned to the university to work with student athletes. Being a strong Hawkeye fan she had many fond memories of those years. Later she returned to high school counseling at DeWitt Central for 12 years. There she was most proud of working with "at risk" students and guiding them to graduation.

She retired in 2005 and enjoyed winters in Venice, Fla., where she enjoyed the tropical weather, biking on the trails and riding around the island.

She had many great friends at the Venice-Nokomis DAV. Her favorite place was Leech Lake in Walker, Minn. – ever since her parents owned Northland Lodge Resort in the early 1950s. She enjoyed many years fishing and sailing on the lake.

Even with her cancer

advancing she was able to enjoy fishing and golf this past summer. She enjoyed visiting Denise and Brad, touring points of interest, dining at different restaurants and spending time with them.

Christmas with them was always a special time. That time meant much to her. She always enjoyed life to the fullest.

Her family and friends have a lifetime of memories with Marcia. She touched the lives of many people as a wife, mother, teacher and high school counselor. She will be missed by many.

Survivors include her husband, Richard; daughter, Denise Kleppe (Brad Mortimore) of Richmond, Va.; and two brothers, Roger (Bonnie) Benischek of New Orleans and Gregory Benischek of Anamosa.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Direct online condolences to www.chapman

fh.com.