Gerald Kieper

There will be a Parish Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. John Lutheran Home Chapel. Gerald 'Jerry' Reinhold Kieper was born May 30, 1936, in Springfield, MN, the son of Reinhold and Rose (Klabunde) Kieper. He joined the National Guard at Redwood Falls and served from December 8, 1958, to December 7, 1963. Jerry was united in marriage to Betty Helget on April 4, 1961, at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield. He farmed his entire life and especially enjoyed the harvest. Jerry enjoyed restoring antique tractors, Ford's and John Deere's. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, playing cards, and shaking dice with his friends. Gerald R. Kieper died Saturday, May 23, 2009, at the Springfield Medical Center Hospital at the age of 72 years Jerry is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Donna and husband Cary Harstad of Byron, MN; son, Curt and wife Valerie of Springfield; son, Korey and wife Raquel of Springfield; grandchildren, Stephanie, Kristen and Daniel Harstad; Justin and special friend Lisa Barron, Jacob, Jesse, and Jordan Kieper; brother, Dennis and wife Tammy of Springfield; aunt, Erna Kieper and friend Elmer Churchill of Springfield; and mother-in-law, Leona Helget of Springfield. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reinhold and Rose Kieper; baby sister, Kathleen; and father-in-law, Florian Helget.