Agnes Lorraine Klingler

Agnes Lorraine (Naugle) Klingler died peacefully in her sleep August 8th, 2023 at the age of 94. She was born May 9, 1929 in Ekalaka, MT to John Earl Naugle & Agnes Delphia (Hall) Naugle. She was one of three children having an older brother John Earl Naugle Jr. and a twin brother Harold Eugene Naugle. After living on the family's homestead in Ridgeway Montana, they moved to Belle Fourche in 1935 when Lorraine was six years old.

Lorraine spent her formative years living in the family home which was also a rooming house. This ensured that Lorraine was raised in a lively, stimulating environment, meeting a multitude of people, many with which she enjoyed lifelong relationships.

One of the most important events in Lorraine's life was when she began piano lessons at the age of eight. After practicing on a shelf on the porch, her family purchased a piano for her and she began her career as a musician in earnest. This love of music would lead her to become an accompanist with many musical groups in high school and in the community. She attended the Wheaton Music Conservatory in Illinois and after graduating from Belle Fourche High School in 1947 she went on to graduate from Black Hills Normal School with a degree in teaching. She taught elementary music for three years and regular elementary school for three years in the Belle Fourche Schools.

After marrying Eldon Boyd Klingler in December of 1951, she taught music in El Paso, Texas for one year while Boyd was in the Army. Upon returning to South Dakota, Lorraine gave birth to their two sons, Kirk & Keith, while Boyd attended the School of Mines in Rapid City. Summers were spent at her parent's home in Belle Fourche. In 1960 the family moved into the house they built on Stanley Street where Karen was born and later Keelee. During this time, Lorraine continued her musical career through teaching piano lessons, playing the organ for St. James Episcopal Church and playing for numerous community groups including weddings and funerals. After Boyd & Lorraine divorced, Lorraine returned to college to receive her four year teaching degree and landed a job as a junior high literature teacher at Roosevelt School-the same school from which she had graduated high school. In 1978 she received her Master's Degree in Education also from Black Hills State College. She taught school for 25 years, retiring in 1995. During this time, she also chaperoned students on a fabulous trip to Europe with Bev Keegan and Belle Fourche High School students through the French Club. She followed the progress of her former students during her career as well as after her retirement and delighted in "running into them" on countless occasions.

During her life, Lorraine was involved in a myriad of community and church groups. Lorraine started playing the piano in the Baptist Church when she was 13 until she began college. She was a member of the Jaycee's, Friends of the Library, the Belle Fourche Museum, Delta Kapa Gamma, Beta Sigma Phi, St. James Episcopal Church, bridge club, a volunteer reader with children, volunteered checking children's eyes, the Cowboy Band, 1902 Cowboys, bible studies, morning prayer at St. James Episcopal Church with Father Pete Clapp along with Anne Hejde, Evelyn & Mike Weaver and Mike and Louise Reade (and anyone else who attended) for 35 years, South Dakota retired teachers association, Belle Fourche concert association, museum board and music recitals at St James with students for 20 years.

Along with her many volunteer activities, Lorraine's daily life in retirement has been spent with a succession of loyal canine & feline companions who accompanied her on daily walks and also participated in morning prayer. These companions provided comfort and faithful adoration and she liked "having another heartbeat" in her home besides her own. Her latest pet included her dog Little Bit.

Lorraine spent time in retirement traveling to the northwest to visit children and grandchildren for graduations, weddings, holidays and just for pleasure. She delighted in visiting the ocean claiming it reminded her that there was something so much larger than she was and that it gave her peace. The prairie and Black Hills provided other precious memories of camping with family and driving over to Gillette attending various events and activities of her children and grandchildren. She has passed on her love of music, the value of an education and her welcoming attitude to all people to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She will be remembered most for her generosity of spirit and her genuine curiosity and appreciation of the diversity of all people she encountered in her journeys.

Lorraine's passing was preceded by her parents and brothers. She is survived by sons, Kirk (Connie) of Gillette WY, grandchildren, Raymond Donaldson and Kadie Donaldson of Gillette WY, granddaughter, Michelle Dunston of Boise ID; Keith Klingler (Pattie Gardner) of Vancouver WA, daughters, Karen Edwards of Belle Fourche, grandson, Christopher and granddaughter, Kalee of Gillette WY; Keelee (Ken) Frost of Aberdeen WA, grandchildren, Natosha Norlin of Seattle, WA and Anisa Parks of Graham, WA; numerous great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held at St James Episcopal Church in Belle Fourche SD where Lorraine was a member for over 70 years on September 16 at 10 a.m. with Reverend Evelyn Weaver and Reverend Sandy Williams officiating.

As per her request, there will be specific music selections including a bag piper and trumpet player. Memorials in her honor may be made to St. James Episcopal Church.

Arrangements are under the care of Kline Funeral Chapel of Belle Fourche. An online guest book and video tribute is available at klinefuneralchapel.com.