Graveside services for Harlan Kluckman age 95 of Mobridge will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at the Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #4 of Mobridge. Harlan passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Selby Good Samaritan Society.

On April 24, 1922 in Pollock, South Dakota, Harlan announced his impending arrival. Always a believer in postponing gratification, he waited to be born until his mother made it to the hospital in Mobridge.
After Harlan's birth his parents, Emma and Bill Kluckman moved from Glenham to old Pollock where he grew up with his sisters, Lucille (Werner) and Irene (White).

Like most people of his generation, he was permanently affected by the Depression of the 1930's. He didn't talk about going to school with layers of newspaper stuffed in the bottoms of his shoes, but he worked hard, spent his money carefully and always put aside some savings.

One of Harlan's uncles was on the draft board in Campbell County, so at the beginning of World War II, Harlan was one of the first ten men drafted from that area. He served as a bombardier instructor for the invasion of Japan. Because of the atomic bomb, he didn't see action, but he was always proud of serving his country.
After the war, Harlan married Betty Hepper. In 1950, around the time they built their first home on First Avenue West in Mobridge, their son Tim was born.

In the early 1950's Harlan and his father-in-law Bill Hepper formed the partnership of Hepper-Kluckman Motors where they sold Dodge and Plymouth. Following the unexpected death of Bill Hepper in 1955, Harlan continued in the car business until 1969.
Harlan was always interested in horses, and at various times had a small herds of cattle. He enjoyed participating in round-ups and branding's. He was actively involved in the Fourth of July parades and rodeos. He enjoyed promoting Mobridge.

He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. In the 1950's he frequently went pheasant and deer hunting with Bill and Jim Hepper. During the 1960's he often parked his camper along Lake Oahe where he and Betty passed time playing cards. He was especially proud of the 29 pound Northern he caught just north of the bridge.
Eventually Harlan and Betty moved to Branson, Missouri where they lived for about 30 years before moving back to Mobridge.

Alzheimer's disease gradually took the upper hand in Betty's and Harlan's lives. Betty died in 2011 shortly after they moved into the Good Samaritan Society in Selby. As Alzheimer's pushed Harlan farther out to sea, he was able to drop anchor in the 1960's. He remembered that he was a car dealer in Mobridge-one of the best times of his life-when he was young, healthy, responsible for running a business and taking care of his family-and could still ride his horse.

He is survived by his son, Tim (Joe Night) of Burbank, SD., Tim's long-time friend Pedro, and three grandchildren, Susana, Jose and Luis. Other surviving family members are his brother-in-law, Jim Hepper and Jim's children, Jay, Scott and Lee Ann, and Harlan's sister Irene's three children, Tom, Bob and Nancy.
Harlan would also want to thank the staff of Good Samaritan in Selby for their kindness.

Joe Night
32023 White Street
Burbank, SD 57010