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Karles Raymond Klebba passed away April 2, 2026 in Sheridan Wyoming, age 76. He was born August 19, 1949 in the Reynolds Home in Sheridan to parents Joe H. and Anne Katherine (Kuzma) Klebba. He was welcomed by his older sister Joanne Amelia and later brothers Phil, Steve, and Jim and sisters Mary and Genevieve. Karles attended Slater Creek Elementary School along with his siblings, one of the many rural schools in School District 24 before consolidation. He excelled in spelling and particularly liked memorizing poetry, one of his favorite poems being The Village Blacksmith. He graduated from Tongue River High School in 1967. Karles then attended Sheridan College and very much valued his Veterinary training in Colorado. His early life was filled with the home ranch work of helping with the haying, branding, feeding cattle through the long winters, fencing, building corrals, chutes and ranch buildings, irrigating, and fixing machinery any time it broke down. He was expert at improvising when parts, time, and money were short and he was fearless in any needed work. He learned at an early age to think ahead and work independently. These traits served him well in the many years he spent on the ranch and later as a farrier for many Sheridan area horses.

Karles loved music and loved to dance, his style being particularly smooth and gliding. He very seldom if ever missed dance night at the American Legion and would be in enthusiastic attendance at any performance of the American Legion Seventh Cavalry Drum & Bugle Corps. He looked forward to the Sheridan County Rodeo and particularly the Rodeo Parade, where he entered and rode as Father De Smet for many years. He also contributed and attended the Parkman Days celebrations. Karles was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church. His faith was very important to him and sustained him through many tough times.

He took spring flowers and sagebrush from the hills of the home ranch on Slater Creek to put at the graves of his parents every year on Memorial Day and flew the American flag at the home buildings every year on Fourth of July.

He had great story-telling ability and loved to talk about the old days. He had amazing detailed recall about his father Joe H. Klebba as an infantryman in WWII. Many times he would recount harrowing experiences of blizzards and he had memories of numerous close calls in ranch life. He was kind and easy-going and this was reflected in his horses, increasing as time went by. Karles was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Phil J. Klebba. He is survived by brothers Steve Klebba of Ranchester and Jim Klebba of Cody and by sisters Joanne Westbrook of Sheridan, Mary McMains of Casper and Genevieve Klebba of Soldotna Alaska. He is also survived by sister in law Margaret Klebba and other greatly loved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Rosary will be said at Holy Name Catholic Church at 7:00 pm Monday April 27. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 am April 28 at Holy Name Catholic Church, immediately followed by Inurnment in the Cemetery, followed by a reception in the Parish Center to which all are invited.

Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.

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