Obituary for Kendall Ernest "Ken" Klumpp
Kendall Ernest Klumpp was recently interviewed by his great-granddaughter, Brianna, for a school project about his experience living through the Great Depression. Despite being very young at the time, Ken vividly recalled traveling by horse and buggy, dresses made from feed sacks, and battling the bitter Michigan winters in a home with no electricity by stuffing nylons in the windows and sleeping bundled up with his brother, Stan.
Fast forward to April 2023, when he watched on an iPad from his hospital bed as two of his great-grandsons played in their high school baseball games. He was their biggest fan.
In the nine decades in between, as the world evolved around him, you would rarely find Ken sitting down. He was far too busy singing, square dancing, building, golfing, woodworking, volunteering and, most importantly, spending time with his family.
Ken, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2023, with his wife and daughters by his side.
Ken was born July 26, 1928, to Walter and Vivian Klumpp and grew up on a farm in southwest Mt. Pleasant. Kendall graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1947 and was always a proud Mt. Pleasant Oiler. He was instrumental in keeping his classmates connected through the years and planned many class reunions, most recently their 70th.
Soon after high school, Ken was drafted into the United States Army, where he served for a short time and included a tour of duty in Europe. He married Nancy Chaffee in 1951; the couple was married for more than 30 years and had three daughters, Sherri, Karen and Julie.
Working with his dad on the farm, Ken learned carpentry at an early age. He turned his love for the trade into a career when he was hired by the Michigan Department of Labor in 1970 as a construction safety specialist, which he enjoyed until his retirement in 1991. Throughout his life, he built three homes for his family, helped others build their homes and worked on two Habitat for Humanity homes.
Ken also had an immense, lifelong love of music. He sang in a traveling boys’ choir in his youth, in the operettas in high school and then later in life as a member of the Midstatesmen Barbershop Chorus for many years. When he wasn’t singing he was dancing — he could square, round and ballroom dance with the best. He also enjoyed his time as a Western square dance caller and a round dance cuer.
In his later years, Ken spent many hours giving back to others in need through his volunteer work — his love language was hard work and selflessly giving of his time and talents to help others. This included many years as a volunteer for the Isabella County Commission on Aging, where he maintained homes for seniors less fortunate, drove seniors to doctor appointments and delivering meals through the commission’s Meals on Wheels program. A longtime loyal member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ken also gave many hours to helping there in many different capacities.
Ken married his love, Lois, in 2001 and the two enjoyed golfing, square dancing, spending winters at their home in Port Charlotte, Florida, and attending their grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events and performances.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Stanley and Anna Marie Klumpp, sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Deo McClintic.
Kendall is survived by his wife, Lois, daughters Sherri (Terry) Hutchins of Mt. Pleasant, Karen Mills of Fishers, Indiana, and Julie (Mark) Wilson of Mt. Pleasant; brother Marlin (Kathy) Klumpp of Tecumseh; grandchildren Krista Knopp of Fishers, Indiana, Shaun (Laura) Hutchins of Mt. Pleasant, Heather (Craig) Smith of Farwell, Leah Hutchins of Caro, Amy (Michael) Masterson of Los Angeles, CA, and Trevor Wilson of Rochester Hills; several nieces and nephews and in-laws. He also will be greatly missed by his seven great-grandchildren, Trestyn, Tyler, Parker, Kylie, Jacob, Brianna and Coleton.
Ken’s smile — and personality — lit up every room. He will always be remembered for his sharp mind, witty humor, kind heart and passion for life. He touched so many lives in his more than 90 years and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He is forever singing in our hearts.
A visitation for family and friends will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 3-7 p.m. at the Clark Family Funeral Chapel, with time dedicated at 6 p.m. for stories to be shared about Ken. Memorial contributions may be made to the Isabella County Commission on Aging, Habitat for Humanity or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.
Fast forward to April 2023, when he watched on an iPad from his hospital bed as two of his great-grandsons played in their high school baseball games. He was their biggest fan.
In the nine decades in between, as the world evolved around him, you would rarely find Ken sitting down. He was far too busy singing, square dancing, building, golfing, woodworking, volunteering and, most importantly, spending time with his family.
Ken, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2023, with his wife and daughters by his side.
Ken was born July 26, 1928, to Walter and Vivian Klumpp and grew up on a farm in southwest Mt. Pleasant. Kendall graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1947 and was always a proud Mt. Pleasant Oiler. He was instrumental in keeping his classmates connected through the years and planned many class reunions, most recently their 70th.
Soon after high school, Ken was drafted into the United States Army, where he served for a short time and included a tour of duty in Europe. He married Nancy Chaffee in 1951; the couple was married for more than 30 years and had three daughters, Sherri, Karen and Julie.
Working with his dad on the farm, Ken learned carpentry at an early age. He turned his love for the trade into a career when he was hired by the Michigan Department of Labor in 1970 as a construction safety specialist, which he enjoyed until his retirement in 1991. Throughout his life, he built three homes for his family, helped others build their homes and worked on two Habitat for Humanity homes.
Ken also had an immense, lifelong love of music. He sang in a traveling boys’ choir in his youth, in the operettas in high school and then later in life as a member of the Midstatesmen Barbershop Chorus for many years. When he wasn’t singing he was dancing — he could square, round and ballroom dance with the best. He also enjoyed his time as a Western square dance caller and a round dance cuer.
In his later years, Ken spent many hours giving back to others in need through his volunteer work — his love language was hard work and selflessly giving of his time and talents to help others. This included many years as a volunteer for the Isabella County Commission on Aging, where he maintained homes for seniors less fortunate, drove seniors to doctor appointments and delivering meals through the commission’s Meals on Wheels program. A longtime loyal member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ken also gave many hours to helping there in many different capacities.
Ken married his love, Lois, in 2001 and the two enjoyed golfing, square dancing, spending winters at their home in Port Charlotte, Florida, and attending their grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events and performances.
Ken was predeceased by his parents, brother and sister-in-law Stanley and Anna Marie Klumpp, sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Deo McClintic.
Kendall is survived by his wife, Lois, daughters Sherri (Terry) Hutchins of Mt. Pleasant, Karen Mills of Fishers, Indiana, and Julie (Mark) Wilson of Mt. Pleasant; brother Marlin (Kathy) Klumpp of Tecumseh; grandchildren Krista Knopp of Fishers, Indiana, Shaun (Laura) Hutchins of Mt. Pleasant, Heather (Craig) Smith of Farwell, Leah Hutchins of Caro, Amy (Michael) Masterson of Los Angeles, CA, and Trevor Wilson of Rochester Hills; several nieces and nephews and in-laws. He also will be greatly missed by his seven great-grandchildren, Trestyn, Tyler, Parker, Kylie, Jacob, Brianna and Coleton.
Ken’s smile — and personality — lit up every room. He will always be remembered for his sharp mind, witty humor, kind heart and passion for life. He touched so many lives in his more than 90 years and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He is forever singing in our hearts.
A visitation for family and friends will take place on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 3-7 p.m. at the Clark Family Funeral Chapel, with time dedicated at 6 p.m. for stories to be shared about Ken. Memorial contributions may be made to the Isabella County Commission on Aging, Habitat for Humanity or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.