Elizabeth Van Keppel

Elizabeth (Klumper) Van Keppel, age 89 passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at the Oak Grove Retirement Village. She is the daughter of Dick and Gertie (Jongetjes) Klumper. Elizabeth is survived by her children John Allen Van Keppel of DeMotte; Carol Mak, her husband Bill and their daughter Khristine from DeMotte; and Virginnia Van Ry, her husband Jim from Creede, CO, their children Rochelle and Mitchell Senti of Bellingham, WA, Nick Van Ry of Creede, CO and five great grandsons. She is also survived by her brothers Lambert Klumper, Henry Klumper, and Andy Klumper. She was preceded in death by her husband Barney, son Byron, one sister, three brothers, one infant sister and 3 brothers- and sisters-in-law. Elizabeth was born on May 26,1928 in southwest Minnesota. After attending Calvin College she began her teaching career in Alamosa, CO. She then moved to DeMotte and taught at DeMotte Christian School before marrying and starting a family in Leroy, IN. Elizabeth continued to teach kindergarten at DMCS, opened a private kindergarten in Crown Point, and was instrumental in beginning a private kindergarten at the DeMotte Methodist Church which is still in operation today as a preschool. She returned to teach second and third grade at DMCS, teaching at the school for a total of 25 years. Elizabeth then retired from teaching and became a teacher’s aide at DeMotte Elementary and spent another 16 years working with children. Some of Elizabeth’s greatest joys were singing with the Jasper County Chordettes, tying blankets for the Binky Patrol, being involved in Bible study, working with Prison Ministries, travelling to visit family and being an active member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Elizabeth and Barney were founding members of both Crown Point Christian Reformed Church and Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Friends and family may call at Jackson Funeral Service of DeMotte on Monday, August 14, 2017 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Jackson Funeral Service of DeMotte with Mitchell Senti officiating. Interment will be held at Holland Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to DeMotte Christian School. To send flowers or share a memory with the Van Keppel family, please visit www.jacksonfuneral.com

Elizabeth Van Keppel

May 26, 1928 - August 8, 2017