Obituary for
Ed Klootwyk
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.
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