Emma Klimpel, 93, Minot, formerly of Sawyer, died Thursday, August 28, 2008 in a Minot Hospital.

Emma was born May 7, 1915 on the family farm south of Sawyer, in Newman Township of Ward County, the daughter of Andrew and Kate (Beuchler) Burkle. She was raised and educated at country schools near Sawyer and during her younger years, assisted her father with the operation of the family farm.

Emma was united in marriage to Clarence Klimpel on December 8, 1935 at rural, Sawyer. They purchased a farm southwest of Sawyer, where they lived and farmed, with Emma assisting with many of the daily outdoor tasks and farm duties. She also enjoyed tending to her large garden. They moved into Sawyer in 1963, where Emma worked as a cook and helper at the Sawyer School. They moved to Minot in 1983, and Clarence died March 10, 1993.

Emma was a longtime member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Sawyer, and active with the Church's Ladies groups. She was a member of the Sawyer Sunshine Club and had joined St, Paul's Lutheran Church after she and Clarence moved to Minot. Emma enjoyed doing embroidery work, playing Bingo, watching Rodeos and Wheel of Fortune on the television. But most of all, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Her loving family includes: son: Vernon Klimpel and his wife, Ione, of Minot, daughters: Anna Tofstad and her husband, LaVern of Pahrump, NV, Linda Schlosser and her husband, Eldon of Bismarck; son-in- law: Gordon Johnson, of Minot. Grandchildren: DeAnn and Nelson Acosta, Denise and Joel Luehmann, Tammy and Bruce Farmer, Terri and Brent Rosendahl, Alanda and Bob Small, Darin and Julie Schlosser, Lyle Tofstad, Lynae Tofstad, Lonnie and Gail Tofstad, Leslie and Kim Tofstad, Larry and Brenda Tofstad, Lori and Jack Rominski, LeAnn and Rodney Nichols, Lynette and Craig Espeseth. Thirty-Eight Great-Grandchildren, Twenty Great-Great Grandchildren, brother: Reuben Burkle, Eureka, SD; sister-in-law: Mabel Riley, Minot; a number of nieces and nephews.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Clarence, daughter, Leona Johnson.

Funeral service : Monday, September 1, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot;

Interment: St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Sawyer;

Visitation : Sunday, August 31, 2008 from noon-5:00pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.