August 11, 1935 – December 27, 2021

Funeral services for Katherine Klumper, 86, of Pipestone, Minn., were held Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, at Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone with Rev. Ethanie Schmidt officiating. Burial was in the Trosky Cemetery in Trosky, Minn.

Music was provided by organist Bonnie Folkerts; an instrumental prelude Beyond The Sunset.; and congregational hymns He Leadeth Me, In The Garden, and God Be With You Till We Meet Again.

Casket bearers were: Jason Klumper, Jordan Paul Klumper, Cory Klumper, Christoph Schulte, Joshua Robert Klumper, Matthew Klumper, Kelly Klumper, Kyle Schulte, Kenton Schulte, Jordan Phillip Klumper, Michael Klumper, Joshua Ryan Klumper, and Kirby Schulte.

Honorary casket bearers were: Taniyah Mitchell, Tessa Shuler, Bryanna Ebeling, Abbigail Klumper, Breanna Doose, Dena Berghorst, and Marissa Brown.

Katherine “Katie” Elizabeth Klumper was born to Otto and Viola (Nicloy) Hildebrandt at the McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., on August 11, 1935. Her family lived near rural Steen, Minn., until she was in the 3rd grade when the family moved to rural Hills, Minn., and later in Katherine’s 6th grade year they moved to Pipestone where she attended school until the eighth grade. She later received her GED and went to work at the Northland’s Café on Main Street Pipestone.

Katherine was united in marriage to Cornelius Klumper on June 27, 1954, at the Baptist Church in Pipestone. The couple moved several times in their first years of marriage. Starting west of Pipestone, then to Edgerton, Minn., back to Pipestone, then to Trosky where they settled for the next 55 years and raised their seven children. During these years Katherine also worked in several cafes and steakhouses such as Sid & Min’s and Lange’s. She worked at Fey Industries for a short while before beginning at the hospital in Pipestone in the housekeeping department for the next 13 years. Due to knee surgery, Katherine was unable to go back to work and had to retire. Cornelius preceded her in death on December 20, 2015.

Katherine became a resident of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone on October 31, 2016. She resided there until entering the Pipestone County Medical Center where she passed away on Monday, December 27, 2021, at the age of 86 years, four months, and 16 days.

Katherine was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. She loved gardening, both flowers and vegetables, and enjoyed canning her bounty for her growing family in the early years. She was devoted to her family and spending time with her grandchildren was very dear to her. Katherine and Cornelius loved being outdoors fishing, camping, and spending time at Split Rock Creek State Park and many other state parks.

She is lovingly remembered by her seven children, Jeffery (Theresa) Klumper of Trosky, Clayton (Valerie) Klumper of Pipestone, Timothy Klumper of Holland, Minn., Thomas (Cynthia) Klumper of Trosky, Ronald (Jill) Klumper of Trosky, Sandra (Eugene) Schulte of Aurora, S.D., and Leland Klumper of Mankato, Minn.; 20 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Irene Hildebrandt of Remsen, Iowa, Linda (Gary) Top and Debbie (Donald) Kruger all of Luverne, Minn.; brothers, John (Mary) Hildebrandt of Pipestone, Cecil (Elaine) Hildebrandt of Sioux Falls, and Paul (Brenda) Hildebrandt of Denver, Colo.; and sisters-in-law, Lois Jean Klumper and Wilhelmina Klumper.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius; parents, Otto and Viola; granddaughter, Heather Klumper; sister, Loretta (Pat) Camdom; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Van Keppel, and Marie Hartke; and brothers-in-law, Gerrit, Lambert (Henrietta), Bernard (Ellen), Henry, and Andrew Klumper.