Obituary - Scotty Kloppenburg

Scotty Kloppenburg knew how to have fun. Everyone who knew him, knew that. Some of the fun in the world left us on September 8, 2024, when Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease finally got the best of him. Scotty wanted everyone to know that this disease was what he had even though he never complained about it during his fight. He just fought on with the help of his wife Brenda, his son Dan and wife Lindsey, and boys, their families, his sisters, and a whole bunch of friends.

Born on January 6, 1960, Scotty grew up in Havre. In June of 1986, he became a proud father to his son, Danny. With the help of his family, he raised Danny as a single parent. The two of them enjoyed spending time with friends, camping, cruising in Scotty’s truck, and riding in the mountains. Scotty and Dan then lived in Kremlin for over 20 years where Scotty was a volunteer for the Kremlin Fire Department.

Scotty had many, many life-long friends. This is evidenced by the number of people who helped Scotty out over this past, difficult year and continue to help out now. If you swing by his house in Kremlin, you will most likely still find a few of them, sitting on the back deck, admiring the work he and his wife Brenda had done to the place, and drinking his Bud Light.

While in Havre, Scotty worked for BNSF for 42 years, but that wasn’t all he did. You could always find him helping out others – trucking, harvesting (he loved driving the yellow semi for his buddy Dean), whatever was needed. Scotty was never afraid to wade in and help out.

Scotty’s life took a major turn on July 11, 2011, when he ran into Brenda Friede. Brenda’s family had already known Scotty for years, including her Grandma Bernice who told her “Stay away from Scotty Kloppenburg”. Good thing Brenda didn’t listen to her, and on December 24, 2018, Brenda and Scotty were married, after both of them had been divorced for thirty-five years. Important to note, though, Grandma Bernice really did love that guy, as did everyone. Brenda was absolutely the love of his life, and they were good together. Really, really good.

Scotty was all about family. He and Brenda and her parents, Glenn and Lynette Friede, could be found together much of the time. When Scotty and Brenda married each other, they both gained a son (Dan and Justin) and Scotty a granddaughter (Grace). And Scotty was all about grandkids. Maverick and Tizer Kloppenburg, his grandkids from son Danny and his wife Lindsey were the center of Scotty’s world when they visited.

Running into Scotty at the Ox was bad. The Fresno Tavern even worse. You knew that you weren’t going home anytime soon. Especially if the San Francisco 49ers were playing, and while he was a big fan of them, they weren’t his favorite football team. Scotty was a die-hard Griz fan and traveled to Missoula for every game – taking the motorhome (which he both loved and hated all at the same time) to their tailgate spot. Now that was a party. Every time.

Scotty’s infectious grin will certainly be missed. When you ran into him downtown, in his usual sleeveless shirt and holding a beer, his grin would tell you that he was up to something. You just weren’t sure what it was or if the joke was going to be on you. That joke usually turned out to be inappropriate. Then he’d laugh. Everyone knew that laugh.

Scotty and his completely genuine personality will be missed. Brenda, Danny and his family, his sisters Rhonda, Karen, and Lynette, and his many, many friends and relatives invite everyone to a remembrance of Scotty October 5, 2024, in Kremlin at 315 Central to have a beer, watch the Griz game, and party in the backyard like Scotty would want you to. The Griz Tailgate starts at 11:00 a.m.

Cremation has taken place, and his ashes have already been spread in the mountains outside of Basin, one of his favorite places. Scotty’s family suggested memorial donations be made to the Kremlin Fire Department.

Cremation has taken place, and his ashes have already been spread in the mountains outside of Basin, one of his favorite places.  Scotty’s family suggested memorial donations be made to the Kremlin Fire Department. 

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. 

Please visit Scotty’s online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at https://www.hollandbonine.com .