Lorna Frank was born January 3, 1932 to Hattie Frank in Frazee, Minnesota. She spent her younger years on her grandmother’s farm in Evergreen, Minnesota and her teens in Detroit Lakes with her mother and stepfather, Hattie and Bernard Thelen. Her mom’s eleven siblings and their spouses and children were all treasured family members.
Lorna came to Minneapolis on her own at age 17, worked and shared apartments with girlfriends until she met her future husband, Elmer Kloepper, who had just returned from Korea. They married 3 months later and were married for 63 years until Elmer’s death. Together they raised their family of 4 children, all graduates of Coon Rapids High School. Lorna truly celebrated being “Grandma”. She has 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Lorna had a varied work career from being a dance instructor at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio, a supervisor at United Cerebral Palsy, part owner of Swatchworks, clerk at Montgomery Wards and most recently a cashier at Mike’s Discount Foods.
She sewed, shopped, cooked, crocheted, painted and quilted; all with abundant energy.
But mostly she loved people. She learned about and talked with everyone she worked with; knew the details of folks who went through her cash register lane each week as well as everyone in the neighborhood. She celebrated everyone’s shower, graduation, or wedding and mourned each funeral. Lorna was a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, aunt, boss, employee, friend and neighbor. She treasured each title because it meant she was interacting with others. Her “people” were her greatest treasures.
Lorna will be greatly missed and always loved.
Lorna is preceded by her loving husband Elmer of 63 years; her parents Hattie and Bernard Thelen; children, Rick Kloepper and Terry Kloepper.
She is survived by children, Candice (Richard) Weispfenning, Vicky (Douglas) Andringa, Randy (Janet) Kloepper; grandchildren, Lindsay (Scott), Jill (Travis), David (Katie), Anne, Corey (Britney); and great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, Monday, August 5th, 2024 at 11 AM and visitation the previous hour. Private burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
