Herman "Howdy" Klaphake

Herman J. “Howdy” Klaphake, Jr., age 84 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, July 18, 2022 at his home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A private family prayer service will be held at a later date. Interment will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Meire Grove.

Herman Joseph Klaphake, Jr. was born February 14, 1938  in Getty Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Herman and Anna (Middendorf) Klaphake. On May 30, 1964 he was united in marriage to Kathleen Kemper at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Howdy was born on the home farm and was able to be granted his final wish which was to die on the farm.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove, Catholic United, and St. John’s Society. Howdy enjoyed farming, football, going to auctions, and his cats and dogs. He loved driving around to look at the crops and loved spending time at the dinner table to catch up on all the local gossip.

Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Kathy Klaphake of Sauk Centre; children, William Klaphake of Sauk Centre, Patrick Klaphake of Sauk Centre, Sue Klaphake of Meire Grove, Tom (Rachel) Klaphake of Greenwald, and Jon Klaphake of Sauk Centre; granddaughter, Hannah Klaphake; and sisters, Margaret Breitbach of Elrosa and Valeria (Steve) Kral of Osakis.

Howdy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tony Klaphake and Edward Klaphake; and sisters, Leona Boeckermann and Lorraine Marthaler.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Knute Nelson Hospice.