Richardo Klimpel

Richardo Karl “Grady”

Klimpel, 68, Velva, died

Thursday, December 22,

2016 in a Minot Hospital.

Rick was born July 20,

1948 in Minot, North

Dakota, the son of Orville

and Eunice (Lang) Klim-

pel. He was raised and

educated in Sawyer.

Rick was united in mar-

riage to Lynnette Frye on

December 16, 1976 in

Makoti. They made their

home in Velva, where he

owned and operated a

motorcycle and auto

repair shop known as

Echo Valley Cycle &

Leather from 1987-2001.

He was also employed as

a crane operator for Amer-

itest Company and was af-

fectionately known as

“Pops”. He also worked as

a painter and upholsterer

throughout the years.

Rick enjoyed riding

motorcycles, traveling,

and camping with his

family. During his

younger years, he played

guitar, other instruments,

and was the lead singer

for groups including The

Thief River Band, Ricky K

and the Starlighters, and

Derailleur. Grady was a

member of the New Hor-

izon Motorcycle Club and

participated in a number

of benefits and activities

with the group. Rick was

a friend to everybody. He

“collected people” and

would do anything for an-

ybody.

Family: His loving fam-

ily includes, wife of 40

years, Lynnette Klimpel of

Velva; children, Tammy

Klimpel of Tennessee,

Stephanie (Bobby) Guy,

Tennessee, Jewelie (Brian)

Swartwout of Colorado,

Christina (James) Little of

Utah, Kristopher Klimpel

of North Dakota, and Jen-

nifer (Eric) Allman of

Utah; 14 grandchildren;

sisters, Jacque (Frank)

Jones, North Dakota, and

Bonnie Walker of Califor-

nia. Also many other

loved ones.

Rick was preceded in

death by his parents.

Celebration of Life ser-

vice: Wednesday, De-

cember 28, 2016 at 6:00

pm in the Velva American

Legion Hall.

Memorials are pre-

ferred to Lynnette Klimpel

303 N Main (PO Box 323)

Velva, ND 58790.

Arrangements entrusted

to Thomas Family Funeral

Home, Minot.

Those wanting to sign

the online memorial regis-

ter or share memories and

condolences are invited to

use the expressions of

sympathy section at

(www.thomasfamily

funeralhome.com).