07-03-2016 Obituary for Ed Klootwyk [7707]

Ed Klootwyk passed into the arms of the Lord on March 7, 2016. Born on May 6,1929 to Henry and Mary Klootwyk, he was raised in Knoxville, Iowa, and attended the University of Iowa for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After serving 4 years as a Sergeant and writer for The Stars and Stripes, Ed returned to Iowa and married the former Charlotte Thomas in January of 1952. He also returned to the University of Iowa to complete his education and graduated with a Masters of Accounting degree.

Ed started his career in Pittsburgh, PA with Westinghouse, and was transferred after a few years to Bloomington, Indiana. He then began his career at Indiana University, where he served as Controller for over 30 years, until his retirement in 1991. He became a full-fledged Hoosier, and could be found with Charlotte and their three children cheering for the football team on Saturdays in the fall in Memorial Stadium, and the basketball team at every home game from his seats in Assembly Hall.

Ed was active all around Bloomington in the Jaycees, as the first PTO president at Childs Elementary School, a referee for Boys Club football, and helped introduce the Young Life ministry to the area. He served on the Advisory Committee and Board of Directors with the IU Credit Union for 40 years. He also served a term as president of the IU Credit Union board during his years of service as well as 2 years on a state committee for the Credit Union. He ushered services at St. Mark’s and First United Methodist for over 40 years.

During his retirement, Ed stayed active by traveling with Charlotte to places all over the world, working at The Opportunity House and Rotary Club, and still made time for his life-long love of gardening. Although he grew a large variety of fruits and vegetables, Papa’s Green Beans were a cherished favorite for many of his grandchildren.

Although Ed found joy in many people, places, and his garden, his greatest love was for his family. He provided his daughters and son with gentle guidance, and modeled for them a strong work ethic, perseverance, and a joyful outlook. As a grandfather, he loved to hear about each of his grandchildren’s activities, schooling and careers. And each time he saw them, they knew they would be greeted with a Papa Hug.

Ed was known by many and loved by all. He will, with his ever-present smile and kind word for everyone, be remembered and cherished by his family as he leaves a legacy of faith, love, loyalty, class, and quiet strength. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Charlotte; daughters Mary Beth Curry of Ashland, MA, and Ann Winters of Columbus, IN, son Dr. Thomas Edward Klootwyk (Merilee) of Carmel, IN; grandchildren Matthew Curry (Meghan) of Cohasset, MA, Eric Curry (Stephanie) of Carmel, IN, Melissa Steinkamp (Kurt) of Mooresville, IN, Michael Winters (Julie) of Columbus, IN, Lauren Tobin (Greg) of Carmel, IN, Katie Klootwyk of New York City, and Lily Klootwyk; great-grandchildren Sophia and Ava Steinkamp, Elle Winters, Benjamin Curry.

Visitation will be 4-7pm Thursday, March 10, 2016 at The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. Third St. in Bloomington.

Funeral services will be 11:00am Friday at The Funeral Chapel with Pastor Joe Emerson officiating. Entombment will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Bloomington Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1149 Bloomington, IN 47402-9988.

05-08-2016 Charlotte Klootwyk [8690] was born on October 6, 1929 to Elizabeth and Walter Thomas in Pershing, Iowa. After losing her father at the tender age of 6, Charlotte and her younger brother, Leonard, spent their early years as children of a single mom in the midst of the Great Depression. They learned to work hard at an early age, to make a lot out of a little, and to persevere through very difficult times. Charlotte's values shine through in each of her strong, hardworking and resilient children.

Charlotte Irene Thomas married M. Edward Klootwyk on January 11, 1952. She left her studies in nursing at the University of Iowa to move with her new husband to Colorado Springs in order for him to complete his service in the U.S. Army. After moving back to Iowa City for Ed to complete his degree, they moved briefly to Pittsburgh before relocating to Bloomington, Indiana where they fell in love with the town, raised their family, and lived for nearly 60 years. Charlotte developed quite a wardrobe of red and white from decades of loyally cheering on the Hoosiers football and basketball teams. She was the consummate Avon Lady, Bridge Club member, and active in Monroe County Home Economics, having been named Monroe County Homemaker of the Year in 1981. True to her upbringing's frugal and resourceful ways, she managed to plan adventurous cross- country trips to expose her children to the National Parks and other wonders of the United States. Some of their most memorable and special trips were taken with her brother and his family, which enabled them to share a closeness made difficult from living thousands of miles apart. Their trips fostered her love of traveling the world with her husband. Before they ended their traveling days, Charlotte and Ed had visited every state in the US, and numerous countries abroad with The Monroe County Bank Primetime Group.

Charlotte was immensely proud and took great joy in her family. She loved her children and celebrated in their special talents, and her heart swelled with love when one of her beloved grandchildren or great-grandchildren called her "Nana". It was very important to her to give to them sentimental and meaningful gifts from her past so they would forever feel a connection to her and those that came before her.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, M. Edward Klootwyk. Surviving to cherish and honor her memory are her daughters, Mary Beth Curry of Ashland, MA., Ann Winters of Columbus, IN., son Dr. Thomas Klootwyk (Merilee) of Carmel, IN., grandchildren Matthew Curry (Meghan) of Cohasset, MA., Melissa Steinkamp (Kurt) of Mooresville, IN., Eric Curry (Stephanie) of Carmel, IN., Michael Winters (Julie) of Columbus, IN., Lauren Tobin (Greg) of Carmel, IN., Katie Klootwyk of New York, NY., and Lily Klootwyk of Carmel, IN. Her great-grandchildren Sophia and Ava Steinkamp, Elle Winters, and Benjamin Curry will miss spending time with their Nana as well as Griffin, Olivia and Landin Weert. Her brother, Leonard Thomas (Dollie) and nieces Kathy Sue Krause (Steve) and Sharon Sharp (Jeff) also survive.

Calling will be held at The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. Third St. in Bloomington, IN from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, August 11th with a service to follow and entombment at Valhalla Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the IU Health Hospice House, 2810 S. Deborah Bloomington, IN 47403.