Jill Klimp

Vivacious and flamboyant, Jill Klimp always dressed well and looked great, with a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye. Jill lived life to the fullest – both metaphorically and literally, she sat in the front seat of the roller coaster. She shared this joy in life with everyone around her, from her family and friends to her patients and the children in her choir. Jill’s boundless energy, irrepressible sense of fun, and true concern for others will live on in the hearts and memories of all those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Jill was born on the wintry day of January 20, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan. She was adopted by delighted parents Stanley and Marion (Wiesner) Louis, and grew up with a younger brother, Mike. Stanley supported his family by owning and operating his own business, John Louis Trucking.

As a child, Jill enjoyed collecting antique dolls. Her parents owned an antique store, and so she often accompanied them to antique auctions and estate sales. In the summers, Jill looked forward to trips to the family cottage at Pine Lake, where she swam and water-skied. Jill also sang in the choir, a hobby that would become a lifelong passion.

After graduating from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1972, Jill went on to attend beauty school. The following year, she married her high school sweetheart, John Klimp, at Prairie Edge. The newlyweds honeymooned in the Smokey Mountains, and then settled down in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jill found a job at a local hair salon, where she worked until the birth of her first child.

As the years went by, Jill and John were blessed with five children: Jennifer, Jessica, John, Julia, and Joshua. Jill loved spending time with her family, and especially enjoyed taking the kids camping. She and her family spent many happy hours talking, playing cards, and laughing by the warm glow of the campfire. Jill was a playful and fun-loving mother – in fact, she was known to go with her kids to TP other people’s houses!

Once the kids were a little older, Jill went to work at her parent’s trucking company. She also started taking classes at nursing school, and became a medical assistant. Jill enjoyed working with patients, and her vivacious, outgoing personality made her a popular caregiver.

Jill loved working with children, and used her skills as a vocalist to start a children’s choir at her church. Jill had lots of ideas for the group, and with the help of her husband pulled them all off. She directed the youth choir for more than thirty years, in addition to singing solos herself in the church choir. Jill never wore shoes when she was directing the choir, and was strict about a few rules: no chewing gum, songs must be memorized, and each word must be pronounced. Not only did Jill teach her kids how to sing, she also encouraged them to serve the community; for example, the youth choir often performed in local nursing homes. Jill also volunteered her time with the church youth group and vacation bible school.

In her free time, Jill enjoyed planting flowers, training dogs, making pots, and playing the piano. Her favorite time of the year was the Christmas season, and each year their house twinkled and shone with Christmas decorations. Jill loved curling up inside with a cup of cocoa or tea, watching snow gently drift down outside the window.

Mischievous, fun loving, and flamboyant, Jill was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a talented choir director, and a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Jill Klimp went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 12, 2012, at the age of 58. Jill’s family includes her husband of 39 years, John Klimp; her children, Jennifer (Brian) Blain, Jessica (Rodney) Thom, John (Jonica) Klimp, Julia (Ryan) Scheffers and Joshua Klimp; her grandchildren, Zachary, Cassandra, Hannah, Isaac, Jordyn, John, Jaidyn, Jennisyn, Jaxson, Brayden and Raygen; her mother, Marion Louis; her brother, Michael Louis; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Stanley Louis.

Learn more about Jill, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Dr., 375-2900. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Calvary Bible Church East (5495 E. Main St.), followed by a luncheon in the fellowship room. Memorial donations may be directed to Shriners Hospital for Children. Please visit Jill’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.