Joseph Ora Kleffner

Joseph Ora Kleffner, 74, of Belt, passed away at his home on October 29, 2013.A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at St. Marks Catholic Church in Belt. A celebration funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2013, at St. Marks Catholic Church. Private family inurnment to be at a later date. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Ora was born to Joseph and Clara (Goo) Kleffner in Great Falls in 1939, he was the 4th of six children. He was raised on the family farm in the Belt area.He graduated from Belt Valley High School, and received a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from MSU in Bozeman. He received his Masters degree in the same field from Idaho State. He began his career with Argonne National Labs in Idaho Falls and then made a move to Eastman Kodak in New York, prior to returning to the family farm in Belt. There he raised cattle and grains.Ora married Patricia Joanne Josie Friedl in 1963 and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August, 2013.Oras pride and joy were his children, grandchildren, family gatherings - especially July 4thcelebrations, and teaching his grandkids how to blow up cow pies.Ora had many interests, including making sawdust in his woodshop, producing picture frames, assorted wood decorations, and furniture. One of his favorite pastimes was telling stories. He wrote short articles for the Judith Basin Press and printed two books of his stories: Oras Razor I and Oras Razor II.Ora loved to garden, see things grow, and pick fresh field mushrooms.Ora is survived by his wife, Jo; their four children, Paula Kleffner of Great Falls, Lynda (Rodger) Denison of Houston, Texas, Patrick Kleffner of Great Falls, and Joseph (Cecilia) Kleffner of Tomball, Texas;six grandchildren; three sisters, Bernice (Rudy) Kratofil, Carol (Gary) Petesch and JoAnne Almanza.Memorials can be sent to the Belt Ambulance Association, PO Box 74, Belt, MT 59412 or charity of your choice.