Ralph Klemme, 85, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, Dec 17, 2024, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024 at First Baptist Church, LeMars, Iowa with Pastor Jon Meredith officiating. Interment with military honors provided by the Heeren-McHale-Wilkens American Legion Post 724 of Brunsville will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Craig, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be after 3:30 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  There will be a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Expressions of sympathy can be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials can be directed to the Floyd Valley Healthcare Foundation, St. John's Lutheran Cemetery – Craig, Iowa, and LifeWise Academy in Le Mars.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Ralph Fred Klemme was born November 17, 1939, in Akron, Iowa to Alvin and Anna (Heeren) Klemme. He was baptized at St. John's Lutheran Church-Preston Township, rural Akron and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church-Grant Township, rural Le Mars. Ralph was raised on a farm SW of Craig and attended country school in Preston Township. He later attended and graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1958. Ralph enlisted in the Army National Guard in March of 1958 and served for four years.

Ralph was united in marriage to Karen Oloff on November 13, 1960, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Craig. The couple farmed in Preston Township until September of 2013. Karen and Ralph moved to Le Mars in 2005.  Karen passed away on September 1, 2015.

Ralph was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Craig, having taught Sunday School for many years and sang with the choir for many years, and also served on the church board for 17 years. Ralph was also on the Le Mars Community School board for 12 years. After the children graduated, Ralph served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1993 to 2005, and Karen served as his secretary. Karen and Ralph enjoyed the many friends that they made throughout Iowa while serving in the House of Representatives. Ralph also served on the Floyd Valley Healthcare Board in Le Mars, IA for many years. He was also a member of Farm Breau, Pork Producers Association, NFIB, Iowa Soybean Association, Cattlemen's Association, and served on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House, Plymouth County Draft Board, and Plymouth County Compensation Board. He was also a member of the Heeren-McHale-Wilkens American Legion Post 724 in Brunsville. Ralph also enjoyed following and supporting his children's and grandchildren's school activities. His greatest pride and joy in life was his children and grandchildren. Ralph will be remembered for his service and leadership roles he represented in many organizations in the community and Iowa, particularly supporting the Floyd Valley Healthcare and the State of Iowa.

Survivors include three sons; Kevin (LeAnne) Klemme of Sioux Falls, SD, Russell (Cheri) Klemme of Spencer, IA, and Kent (Wendy) Klemme of Apex, NC; his special friend, Arlene Lang of Le Mars, IA; 8 grandchildren, Sadie Klemme of Sioux Falls, SD, Andrew Klemme of Sioux Falls, SD, Michael (Sanya) Klemme of Durham, NC,  Matthew (Miranda) Klemme of West Des Moines, IA, Marcus Klemme of Wichita, KS, Mallory Klemme of Iowa City, IA, Jacob (Samantha) Klemme of Buckley, WA, and Colton Klemme of Sioux Falls, SD; 2 great-grandchildren; Beauden Klemme and Boston Klemme; a brother, Gerald (Susan) Klemme; a sister, Geraldine (Bob) Brown; his in-laws, Dean (Linda) Oloff; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Anna (Heeren) Klemme, his wife Karen (Oloff), and great-grandson Asher Klemme.