Ronald "Ron" Reuben Klapel of Hinckley, MN passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Elderwood Assisted Living in Hinckley, MN. He was 79 years old.

Ron was born on April 24 th , 1945, in Ortonville, Minnesota to Reuben and Vernice (Melberg) Klapel. Ron graduated from Ortonville High School and attended University of Minnesota – Morris where he met the woman, he would spend 48 years with; Peggy Lou Dunkley. Together, they lived all over the Midwest and also in Alaska. In 1992, Ron and Peggy moved to Hinckley, where they have resided since.

In 1967, while in Minneapolis, Ron and Peggy brought daughter Susan into the world. In 1976, Dann was born while in Havre, Montana.

Grandson Christopher was welcomed into the family, with his sisters, Aquene, River and Oswyn. Ron loved his grandkids with all his heart.
Ron spent a large portion of his professional career with the F.W. Woolworth stores. The career choice had placed the family in some great locations and experiences. Ron enjoyed hunting in Montana and Minnesota and fishing with some of the most exciting fishing excursions in Alaska. In the latter half of the 80's, Ron was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which had hampered his physical abilities, but he did not let it stop him or more accurately, was too stubborn to let it stop him. After leaving Woolworth, the family moved to Hinckley where he took on a couple of different occupations but eventually, settled in at the Grand Hinckley Inn and Grand Casino until his retirement.

Ron will be remembered for his humor, kindness, work ethic, stubbornness, and his uncanny ability to push buttons on people, usually for his own amusement. Ron adopted three children through Christian Children's Fund and enjoyed getting updates on the kids. He took that opportunity to learn more about other places. Ron would also help others without hesitation within his abilities. Ron would take friends facing medical treatments to make sure they were safe and weren't alone. He took care of the animals in the area and helped numerous generations of feral cats at the house. In turn, they also helped him and kept him busy, we won't mention the turkeys though.

Ron is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Peggy Klapel, Parents Reuben and Vernice (Melberg) Klapel, Brother Kevin Klapel, his antagonist and cat, Zorro (Zee).

He is survived by his daughter, Susan of Mora, MN, son, Dann of Hinckley, Grandson Chris of Fargo, ND, Granddaughters, Aquene, River and Oswyn; Sister Narvilla (Ron) Rabe; Brother in laws Peter (Dawn) and Edward (Beth) Dunkley, Sister in laws, Emiline and Sally Dunkley, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would also like to extend a huge Thank You to the staff at Elderwood of Hinckley for your care and concern for Ron during the past couple of years. You've shown us that regardless of his attitude and stubbornness, he was loved and taken care of.

A funeral service will be held for Ron at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at First Lutheran Church, located at 301 Lawler Avenue S, Hinckley, MN, with Pastor Erik Rundquist officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Tatting-Methven funeral chapel from 6pm to 8pm and Tuesday, December 17, 2024 one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will take place at Lutheran Memorial Cemetery following the service.

Arrangements by Tatting-Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Hinckley, MN.