Donald G. Klarup's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Donald G. Klarup, age 81 of Charleston, died on Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at his Brookstone Estates of Charleston residence following a long battle with melanoma. Following cremation, a Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Faith United Methodist Church, 1719 South Prospect in Champaign, Illinois and another at a later date at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to a church of the donor's preference. Arrangements have been entrusted to Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Don was born in Burke, South Dakota on December 31, 1931, the only child of the late Elmer and Ruth (Gardner) Klarup. He graduated from Rapid City, South Dakota High School in 1949 and was actively involved in vocal music and speech. He was active with the Methodist Youth Fellowship and served as Conference President. He continued his education at Dakota Wesleyan University where he graduated with a B.A. degree in English and was actively involved in vocal music and theater. He particularly enjoyed singing bass baritone in a barbershop quartet called ""The Scotsmen"". During his senior year he served a student parish in Fulton and Farmer, South Dakota. Don graduated from the Boston University School of Theology in 1956 with a Masters of Divinity degree. While in seminary, he served as youth pastor and choir director at the Congregational Church in Groton, Massachusetts. Don married the love of his life, Phyllis Ruth Maat, on June 21, 1956. In addition to Phyllis, he is survived by their three children, Pamela Ruth Klarup (Michael Oswalt) of Putnam, Illinois, Douglas Gordon Klarup (Amy Lynch) of Charleston, and Patricia Diane Hoffman (Adam) of Fort Collins, Colorado; four grandchildren, Erin Lynch-Klarup of Washington, DC, Kyle Lynch-Klarup of Eugene, Oregon, Kincaid Hoffman in college in Walla Walla, Washington, and Riley Hoffman of Fort Collins. Don served the Methodist/United Methodist churches in Philip & Quinn (1956-1961), Arlington (1961-1966) and Yankton (1966-1971) South Dakota, and as senior pastor at First Church, Fargo, North Dakota (1971-1976). He then served as Western District Superintendent in the former South Dakota Conference from 1976-1980 and then as the administrative assistant to Bishop Boulton (1980-1981) before being appointed senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1981. Voice problems compelled him to retire from preaching and he joined the development staff at Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) as Director of Planned Giving and Church Relations beginning the summer of 1988. Over the years Don served in various Conference leadership positions as well as being a clergy delegate to Jurisdictional and General Conferences. Reverend Klarup retired from active ministry in the Dakota Conference and DWU in 1994. Don and Phyllis made their retirement home in Sioux Falls and became active again in the congregation at First Church. Don enjoyed playing golf and his model railroad layout. In 2005 the couple moved to Illinois to be closer to family, living first in Savoy and attending Faith United Methodist Church in Champaign, Illinois and more recently living at Brookstone Estates in Charleston. Don enjoyed and loved every parish he served. Highlights of his ministry were in Yankton where the membership grew by over 25% during the five years he was there; and, at First Church in Sioux Falls with its strong lay leadership and very competent staff. He provided pastoral leadership for major capital fund drives and building programs in every parish he served.
What’s your fondest memory of Donald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donald?
Share a story where Donald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donald you’ll never forget.
How did Donald make you smile?