Irene Kleppe, 90, died November 16, 2017, in Fargo, ND. Services will be held at 12:30 pm Tuesday, November 21, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Susan Anderson officiating. Burial will be at 3:00 pm Tuesday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Irene D. Kleppe was born on July 8, 1927, to Emma and Philip Merkel in Braddock, ND. Irene graduated from Steele High School in 1945 and then went to work as a telephone operator. On June 26, 1949, Irene was united in marriage to Ross K. Kleppe. They lived in Fargo, ND, and Jamestown, ND, and eventually made their home on the Kleppe family farm near Kintyre, ND. Ross and Irene moved to Napoleon, ND, in 1995. Irene moved to Fargo, ND, in 2016 where she resided until her death. Irene was a small lady with a big personality and heart. She loved to bake, shop, and visit with others. Irene is survived by her children, James (Brenda), Mesa, AZ, and Jennifer (Randy) Schumacher, Fargo, ND. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Justin, Sarah and Jerrod and great-grandchild, Lucas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ross in 2000; her sister, Lydia Elmer; and brothers, Alvin and Albert Merkel.