Mark Klipfel

Mark Klipfel, age 60, of Bismarck, passed away May 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at Sanford Medical Center Bismarck, after a six-month battle with stage four esophageal and lung cancer.

He was born on October 5, 1965, in Ashley, ND, a son of the late Raymond and Huldina (Fischer) Klipfel. Mark graduated from Ashley High School in 1983 and then continued on to receive a diesel technology degree through North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND.

After graduation, he returned to his hometown to continue working on the Klipfel family farm, where he continued the family tradition of raising dairy cattle and farming cropland. He also developed important trade skills in his early twenties that served him well throughout his lifetime, while working as a farmhand for David and Debbie Jenner, a plumbing and excavating assistant for Donnie Dockter’s Plumbing and Excavating Service, and completing construction projects for McCleary Lumber, all in Ashley.

In 1997, Mark took the leap and moved to Devils Lake to live with his fiancée, Lisa, where she was an English teacher. He began his career working for the North Dakota Department of Transportation in 1997 in Devils Lake until they relocated to Bismarck in 1998. He then transferred to the Bismarck NDDOT. He was a dedicated employee of the NDDOT for 32 years. Throughout his service, he was honored as “Employee of the Year” and on another occasion “Safety Person of the Year.” Mark was known for being very knowledgeable and open to helping others. He often took calls on his days off to assist his coworkers. It was always his pleasure to help. In anything that Mark did, he was always a trusted and valuable team player.

Mark married Lisa Lehr on August 15, 1998, and they enjoyed 30 years together before his fateful passing. He was a dedicated parent with his wife, notably serving as foster parents for 16 foster children over the span of 15 years in addition to raising their three children. Mark said one of his greatest achievements was becoming a father, and he practiced unconditional love every day.

His value of being family-oriented guided him to not only serve as a father but also uphold the legacy of his family’s dairy farm. He was proud to maintain his childhood home, cultivate the land, and spend time walking the endless gravel roads. The farm will remain in the Klipfel family, and this will be the fifth generation to continue the Klipfel Farm legacy.

In addition to the family farm, Mark worked hard to build a beautiful home for his family. It wasn’t uncommon for him to take on large, complicated projects. Some of these projects include refacing the fireplaces at each of his family’s homes, building and maintaining an above-ground permanent pool, and doing multiple full-bathroom remodels. Known as a hard worker and practical handyman, Mark was a well-versed and exceptional worker with carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical skills. Even if he didn’t know how to complete a project, Mark took initiative and researched the skills needed.

Mark understood the importance of balance in life. He worked hard, but he played hard too. Mark was a joyous soul known for his infectious laughter. In his free time, Mark enjoyed watching football and rooting for the Vikings (or whichever team was the underdog). He was also an incredible cook in the kitchen, often crafting German recipes, perfecting a rack of ribs, and preparing large, family-style breakfasts on the weekends. Mark and Lisa enjoyed celebrating holidays, dressing up in family-themed outfits every Halloween, throwing extravagant parties, and they were known for their fun rummage sales.

Mark had a warmth about him that made him so lovable to children and animals. Mark always had a pet by his side, starting with his farm dog, Tyler, and his Border Collie, Emma. He cherished all of his pets. It goes without saying that his current two dogs, Ruby and Emmy, and cat, Dorito, noticeably miss him.

Mark is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Klipfel, and his three children, Hannah, Maria, and Carter. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses: Jim and Cheryl Klipfel (Fargo, ND), Bryan Klipfel and Katy Schoen (Bismarck, ND), Janet and Al Vossler (Palm Springs, CA), Tamara and Todd Haas (Hamilton, MT), and Michele Howard (Charleston, SC); brother-in-law, Charlie Kraemer (Mandan, ND). He is also survived by his in-laws: Frances Lehr (Ashley, ND), Russel and Mary Lehr (Ashley, ND) and Amy Lehr and Russ Martin (Minneapolis, MN). He is survived by many loving nieces and nephews on each side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Huldina (Ashley, ND), sister Jocelyn Klipfel (Oakes, ND), sister-in-law Bonnie Klipfel (Bismarck, ND), brother-in-law Donnie Howard (Charleston, SC), sister-in-law Nadine Lehr (Bismarck, ND), and father-in-law Marvin Lehr (Ashley, ND). 

The funeral services to celebrate Mark’s life are as follows:

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Bismarck Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Ashley, ND, on Friday, May 8, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church, Ashley, ND. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Ashley, ND.