Michael Ray Kleinkopf

1938 - 2025

Michael Kleinkopf

July 28, 1938 - July 4, 2025

Michael Ray Kleinkopf, age 86, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025 after a short illness. He was born July 28, 1938 in Twin Falls, Idaho, was the son to the late Justin and Claribel Kleinkopf, and was the younger brother to the late Shirley Peterson of Boise.

Mike graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1957, then earned his degree in Diesel Mechanics from Oregon Tech in 1961. After he worked for Thiokol in Salt Lake City building snowcats, he went to work for International Harvester troubleshooting hay balers. In 1964, Mike returned to Murtaugh, Idaho to farm with his father on the family homestead.

In 1974, he married Betty Scott Sharp, and gained 3 stepdaughters, Sandie Leseberg (Pete) of Portland, Oregon, Debby Ball (Dave) of Meridian, Idaho, and Launa Barrett (Steve) of Conroe, Texas. They were married 44 years. He continued to farm in Murtaugh until 1997 when he retired and moved to Twin Falls, taking his shop, known as "Mike's Putter Palace," with him. He drove truck for several years and enjoyed restoring old cars, trucks, and tractors at his shop. In 2015, he purchased a deteriorated sheep wagon, and completely restored it. He was somewhat of a perfectionist, and was very proud of his work. Other hobbies included shooting trap, playing golf, and traveling. He enjoyed going to Echo Bay in Nevada and fishing at Lake Mead with his friends during the winter months. His niece, Dianne Jossis (Phil), always made sure he arrived safely to Echo Bay and back to Twin Falls each fall and summer by assisting him on the drive in his motor home. He attended Twin Falls Reformed church, and was an active part of the Young at Heart group.

In 2023, as his health began to decline, he moved to Conroe, Texas, living with his daughter and son-in-law, Launa and Steve, and attending Northridge Baptist Church. He enjoyed gardening almost year round, as well as doing woodworking projects in his shop. If he wasn't building something, he was busy working in the yard. As a retired farmer, he loved being outdoors, even in the Texas heat, and he enjoyed living close to some of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, at Northridge Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas, and a graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls, Idaho.

The family would like to thank Elara Care Hospice and Grace and Mercy House for helping with Mike's care the last three weeks of his life.