George Edward Klippenes

   George E. Klippenes, age 70 of Monticello, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019. 

   George Edward Klippenes was born to George and Bernice (Tarbell) Klippenes on  November 24, 1948, in Brainerd, MN. His family moved to Hoyt Lakes, MN when he was a child where he grew up.  He gave his life to the Lord as a teenager and after graduating high school, headed to Oak Hills Bible School. It was there that he met the love of his life, Peggy Ferch. They were married June 8, 1968, and prepared for the mission field.  George and Peggy served in Ethiopia, Africa for two years before returning home to pastor in Minnesota. George pastored the Evangelical Free Churches in Stanchfield and Annandale, MN with the majority of his time in Annandale. Somewhere in there, they also had and raised 4 children.  George’s dream was to go into church planting when he retired. However, God used that dream, George’s deep love for Jesus and church planting to start him on that path earlier than retirement. George became the MN District Director of Church Planting and eventually the National Director for the Ev. Free Church. 

   He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; his father, George. George is survived by his children, Beth (Rodd) Gustafson, Michelle (Shawn) Hempel, Cheryl (Jason) Hamond and Jonathan (Laurie) Klippenes; grandchildren, Luke and Sara Gustafson, Nicole and Ryan Hempel, Joshua, Joy, Samuel and Olivia Hamond, and Molly, Mariah, and Megan Klippenes; mother, Bernice; siblings, Don (Marcy) Klippenes, Jeff (Jacque) Klippenes, Shirley (Jim) Boelter; brothers-in-law Thomas (Gayle) Ferch, Loren (Ann) Ferch; sister-in-law, Jeanne (Lonnie) Johnson and other loved family and friends.

   Funeral Service will be at 11:00am on Friday, October 11, 2019 at Hope Evangelical Free Church, 513 W. 4th Street in Monticello. Visitations will be 5:00pm-8:00pm on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, 250 E. Broadway, Monticello and one hour prior to service at church. Graveside prayers will be at 3:00pm at Oak Grove Cemetery in Brainerd.

   In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in George's name for Church Planting.

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