Harold W. Kleinpaste was born on March 12, 1920, on his parent’s farm near Sully, Iowa. He was the son of Peter and Kate Kleinpaste, and the brother of Allan, Grace and Peter. In the early 1920s the family moved to Hollandale, a newly established Dutch settlement in southern Minnesota. Harold graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1936. Harold farmed with his father and brother, Allan, until he began farming on his own shortly after the conclusion of World War II.

Harold married Kathleen Berg on Aug. 5,1942, a marriage that thrived for sixty-three wonderful years. Four children were born from the union: Daniel, Robert, Paula and Lisa. Harold and Kathleen traveled throughout the world, and were extensively involved in community and church activities. Harold left farming in 1958, and for a short time sold insurance, worked for Central Seminary in public relations and became politically active in Freeborn County.

In 1960 Harold and Kathleen moved the family to Harlan, Iowa, after he accepted a position as administrator of the Baptist Memorial Home. He and Kathleen both agreed that the four and a half years spent in Harlan were some of the best years for the family. In 1964 Harold accepted a position as CEO of American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, based in the Twin Cities. He served as its CEO for 22 years, retiring in 1986 having grown and expanded the company both in program and budget, to one of the premier retirement and health care providers in the upper Midwest.

Following his retirement Harold and Kathleen spent their winters in Green Valley, Ariz., and summers on the lake in Green Lake, Wis. They hosted many friends and family over the years spent at Green Lake. Harold spent much of the time in the summer working on the gardens and grounds of the Green Lake Assembly Grounds, an American Baptist retreat center. Harold was an avid golfer, as was Kathleen. Their retirement often found them on the links. In 2003 they acquired an independent living apartment at Elm Crest Retirement Community. Shortly after Kathleen’s death in 2006, Harold moved to the Thorne Crest Retirement Community in Albert Lea until his health brought him back to Harlan in November of 2009. Harold died peacefully on June 9, 2010, at the Elm Crest Retirement Community.

Preceded in death by his wife Kathleen; his parents; one brother and one sister; and one daughter-in-law, Nancy (Stofferson) Kleinpaste.

Survived by sons: Dan Kleinpaste (Pat) of Harlan, Iowa, Bob Kleinpaste (Sandy) of Baltimore, Md.; daughters: Paula McDougall (Bill Rutstein) of Wayzata and Lisa Rowan(Pete) of St. Paul; nine grandchildren: Lindsey McDougall, Julie Rowan (Max), Dana Trageser (Derek), Michael McDougall (Beth), Angie Cahlander (Dan), Jessie Rowan. Deb Huber (Troy), Deanna Stone and Dawn Paben (Justin); and great-grandchildren: Madalynn Stone, Malia Paben, Danika Rowan, McKenzie Rowan, Evelyn McDougall and Weston Cahlander; and brother Allan Kleinpaste (Barb) of Albert Lea.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, at the United Methodist Church in Harlan, and a service and final interment will be held at First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 11.

Memorials preferred to Myrtue Hospice Care in Harlan, Iowa, First United Methodist Church in Harlan and Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan.