Phyllis Klomparens

All who knew Phyllis Klomparens would agree that her life exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. She lived to serve Him through her selfless acts of service, unending love for those around her, and gracious spirit through times of trial. Phyllis was a devoted mother, but just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was life’s greatest reward. Vibrant, sparkling, and passionate, she made a significant impact in the lives of so many within her reach. Phyllis instilled within the generations who follow her a legacy of unwavering faith - the gift her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren treasure most.

It seems only fitting that the story of Phyllis Klomparens begins during a decade that was as colorful as she was - the Roaring Twenties. She was welcomed into the world by her parents, Sherman and Grace (Blount) Pearsall, on June 10, 1921. Phyllis was the youngest of four children in her family, raised in the family home on the “north end” of the city alongside her siblings, Patricia, Florence, and Max. The Pearsall family were members of Berean Baptist Church, which is where her lifelong walk with the Lord began. This would be her church home throughout her entire life.

Phyllis experienced an upbringing that was reflective of the times. She attended Plainfield Elementary School, which is where she formed friendships that lasted a lifetime. Phyllis and these close friends formed a group in fourth grade called "Purt Tillys" ( an acronym from each girl's last name).that continued to meet. She later went on to Palmer Elementary and Creston High School, graduating in 1938. Phyllis was socially active at both school and church, and she also helped her mother with her home catering business.

It was while in high school that Phyllis met the young man who stole her heart. He was a fellow church member named Ivan Klomparens, and they began dating near the end of high school.

After graduating from high school Phyllis went on to Grand Rapids Junior College and then to Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing where she earned her degree in nursing, becoming a registered nurse. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Navy as a Second Lieutenant near the beginning of WWII. She was stationed in California, working as an RN in a hospital. Around that same time Ivan was drafted into the Army, and at some point he and Phyllis were reunited in California. They eloped in 1943, although their marriage was kept secret as nurses were not allowed to be married and still serve.

Ivan had some training in Chicago, so they rented a small apartment there. They only had about three glorious months together before he was deployed to the Philippines. Phyllis then moved back to Grand Rapids where she lived with her parents and soon gave birth to their first child, John. She also worked as an RN at Blodgett Hospital and helped her mother in the catering business.

When Ivan was discharged after the end of the war he and Phyllis rented a small home on Coit and later built a house on the corner of Eleanor and Diamond NE. Their family grew to include four daughters and one more son. They kept busy raising their family and being active at church. Phyllis fully embraced her role as a mother and taught her children to know and trust the Lord. She and her children were given a tough pill to swallow when Ivan was diagnosed with cancer and died when he was only 46. Although she was on her own to raise their six children, Phyllis never doubted that even this challenge was part of God’s perfect plan for her. She went to work as a charge nurse at the Christian Rest Home until she retired at the age of 67.

Tragedy struck again in Phyllis’s life with the death of her son after a brief battle with cancer at a young age. Although she was deeply saddened, Phyllis provided his wife with the strength and courage she needed to fulfill Tim’s dream of serving in the mission field for two years.

Two years after her retirement, Phyllis moved to Leisure Village in Belmont where she enjoyed forming new friendships and spent the rest of her life. She continued to delight in her family, which grew to include 18 precious grandchildren. Phyllis supported them in their various endeavors and regularly hosted them for special sleepovers. Her grandchildren knew that she was only a phone call away, and she always gave the best medical advice, too. Phyllis celebrated her 91st birthday with her granddaughters, making priceless memories together.

Throughout her life Phyllis kept busy. She was a “published writer,” as her children referred to her, as she contributed to the village newspaper, the "Leisure Log",wrote for her church’s Sunday school newsletter, "Streams" and also wrote devotionals for the Children’s Bible Hour. At church Phyllis was active in Sunday School and sang in the Ladies Ensemble for many years. She wrote countless letters to the Berean supported missionaries for many years to keep in touch with them and make them feel part of the "Berean Family". She was vitally interested in their work and faithfully prayed for their work and safety. Additionally, she volunteered as a reading tutor at Palmer Elementary School and knitted hats for children that she often donated as well as baby booties for her grandchildren. Phyllis also did some traveling including to visit her nephew in Israel and throughout Europe with friends. She liked watching sports on television and was partial to her home teams. Phyllis kept up with current events on local, state, and national levels.

In 2005 Phyllis was involved in a car accident that she miraculously survived. Thankfully with determination, hard work, and the support of her family and friends, she was able to return home and resume a normal life for nearly seven years.

A woman who was content in all things, Phyllis Klomparens taught us so much about what it means to be filled with grace, humility, and devotion to both her Lord and her loved ones. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

KLOMPARENS – Mrs. Phyllis I. Klomparens, (Pearsall) aged 91 of Belmont passed from this life into heaven’s glory Monday, November 19, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband Ivan Klomparens, son Timothy, parents Sherman and Grace Pearsall, sisters Patricia (1926), Florence Hoelzley and brother Max. A lifelong member of Berean Baptist Church, she faithfully served her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with a loving, sweet spirit that was an inspiration to all. She will be deeply missed by her children: son John (Connie), daughters, Kathy Scholtens, Mary (Jim) Lago, Patricia (Tim) Stoner, Rebecca (Greg) Nagurski, daughter-in-law Suzi (Dan) Bell, 18 beloved grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, many special nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 1 P.M. at Berean Baptist Church, 1574 Coit N.E. with Rev. Burland Margesson officiating. Private interment will be held at Fairplains Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family Friday from 1 - 4 and 6 - 8 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Missionary Fund of Berean Baptist Church would be appreciated. To read more of Phyllis’s life, share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” Isaiah 26, 3