Gordon Steve Klippenstein

Gordon Steve Klippenstein, a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, left this earth on June 1, 2024. He was 84 years young. Gordon was born in Los Angeles, California, on September 16, 1939, to two loving parents, Edgar Vincent “Steve” and Edith Madeline Klippenstein.

Gordon graduated from Downey High School in 1957 and was an accomplished athlete. Gordon’s parents lived by many values, which provided him guidance throughout his life. He valued the love of God, his family, protecting his country and community, and working with his hands. This was evident through his service as a Seaman First Class in the U.S. Navy (USS Nereus) from 1958-61; a Police Officer for the City of Pomona, California, from 1962-73; a Sheriff Deputy for Ravalli County, Montana, from 1974-77; and Chief of Police for the City of Hamilton, Montana, from 1981-85. Gordon spent many years in construction, helping build the Southgate Mall in Missoula and various homes around the Bitterroot Valley. But his passion and skill involved the detail he put into his woodwork, crafting doll houses for his granddaughters and lamps and other decorative treasures for his family. Many who knew Gordon would describe him as honest, fair, devoted, hardworking and willing to give his time to help his community, friends and family. His life became whole when he met the love of his life, Linda Louise Hughes (Klippenstein), in 1957. They were married on October 19, 1958 and welcomed Brent James to the family in 1959. Cherise Louise joined the family in 1962 and Stacy Steve followed in 1967. This loving family resided mostly in Upland, California, until 1974 when they moved to the beautiful Bitterroot Valley in Montana. This was Gordon’s favorite place. His life was full of love and joy and he remained family-centered until his last breath. His grandchildren described Gordon as loving, caring, loyal, faithful, proud, and a supportive grandfather, with the worlds best combover and a fan of a good burger and fries.

Gordon is survived by his wife Linda of Hamilton; daughter Cherise and husband Steve Bartels of Hamilton; son Stacy and wife Carrie Klippenstein of Kingman, Arizona; brother Rex and wife Karen Klippenstein of Port Orchard, Washington; five granddaughters and five grandsons; eight great grandsons and three great granddaughters. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Vincent and Edith Madeline Klippenstein; brother Bud Challacombe; sister Diane Hagerty; son Brent Klippenstein; granddaughter Ashley Bartels Luthje; and great grandson Liam Turner.

Services for Gordon and Linda Klippenstein will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel.

Private urn placement will take place at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Montana Hope Project at P.O. Box 5927 Helena, MT 59604 or by Montanahope.org/donate.