Henry "Hank" Klumper

Henry “HANK” Klumper was born on April 17, 1934, the larger of twins born to Dick and Gertie (Jongetjes) Klumper at the family farm in Nobles County. Hank attended school in Edgerton, Minnesota, and during high school he was a member of the madrigal. He graduated from Edgerton High School in 1952. Following his graduation, Hank worked briefly at the Central Telephone Company and then began working at Peavey Lumber Yards. In 1956, Hank joined the United States Army and was stationed at Camp Miho in Japan during the end of the Korean War. During his deployment, Hank enjoyed traveling, visiting: Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Mata Hata-Dashi. In 1958, he returned to the U.S. and was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. Hank was honorably discharged in 1959. He returned to Edgerton and returned to working at Peavey Lumber as a manager. In 1963, Hank began working at Great Plains Supply as a manager. Hank worked there for 20 years before becoming self-employed as a carpenter. He continued to live in Edgerton until July 25, 2019, when he moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Minnesota. Hank died peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at the Minnesota Veterans Home at the age of 85 years, ten months, and one day.

Hank was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton. Hank was a dedicated man of faith and did a great deal for his church. Hank served two terms as a deacon, one term as an elder, he was on the board of Minnesota South Deacons Conference for seven years, was the delegate and alternate delegate for the CRWRC for four years, served as a Cadet counselor, and accompanied the First CRWC laymen’s group to tour overseas in Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and China in 1989. These tours, along with his military service, led Hank to have a great appreciation of other cultures. Hank was also very giving to his hometown of Edgerton, serving three terms on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors (two of which were as active president), helped establish and served two terms on the board of directors for the Edgerton Development Corporation, served on the Community Chest board of directors, was the first secretary of the Edgerton Dutch Festival, and served for 19 ½ years on the Edgerton Volunteer Ambulance Service. Hank enjoyed his woodworking, photography, and fishing. Even though he was exceptionally busy, Hank always made time for his family. He took care of his mother for as long as he possibly could, until her needs were too much for his care. Hank always made a point of visiting his siblings, attending events for his nieces and nephews, and giving gifts that will be cherished for generations to come.

Hank is lovingly remembered by friends and family. He is survived by sisters-in-law Lois Jean Klumper, Henrietta Klumper, Katherine Klumper, Willy Klumper, and 34 nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Gertie, his brother Gerrit, his sister Elizabeth and husband Barney VanKeppel,  brother Lambert, sister Marie and husband Leon Hartke; his brother Bernard and wife Ellen, twin brother Cornelius, brother Andrew Klumper, and his infant sister, Francis.

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