Mrs. J. J. Klopp

Funeral Thursday

Her Life Has Been A Blessing To This Community

Mrs. J. J. Klopp, seventy-two, wife of Rev. J. J. Klopp of the

Congregational church, passed away at her home in

Stanton Tuesday morning at ten-thirty after an illness of but a few days.

Death was due to heart trouble and complication.

Mrs. Klopp came to Stanton with her husband in 1898 and has lived here continuously with the exception of three years spent at Chadron

where Rev. Klopp was pastor of First Congregational church.

During the thirty-one years she has lived in Stanton, Mrs. Klopp was superintendent of the primary Sunday school of the Congregational

church and under her supervision the membership grew to be one of the

largest in the city and much good was accomplished by

 her kindly ways with the tiny tots.

Mrs. Klopp has also been active in ladies aid work of her church,

prominent in civic affairs and noted for her kindness and sympathy.

When death entered the home of her friends or church members

she brought them comfort and cheer by radiating the love and

compassion of the Father for she was never too busy to administer

 to those in sorrow or suffering. She has been termed, one of

Stanton's good Samaritans. Her life will live long in the lives

of her friends and associates, always a beam of sunshine,

piercing all clouds of sorrow.

Funeral services are being conducted from the Congregational

church this afternoon (Thursday) with

 Dr. Merle Adams of Norfolk in charge.

Dr. F. H. Essert of the Stanton Methodist church assisting.

Mrs. Klopp is survived and mourned by her husband, one daughter,

Mrs. P. L. Pryor of Council Bluffs, Iowa; four son's, Ward K. Klopp,

Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dwight Klopp, Waterloo, Iowa;

 Loren Klopp, Blair, and John N. Klopp, Lincoln;

 a sister, Miss Emma Bodey, Waterloo, Iowa;

a brother, Frank Bodey, La Plant, South Dakota;

several grandchildren

 and a host of other relatives and friends.

Interment was made in the Stanton cemetery.

The Stanton Register

Thursday

February 25, 1932

Front Page

Mrs. J. J. Klopp

Funeral Thursday

Had Faithfully Served This Community For Many Years

INTERMENT MADE IN STANTON CEMETERY

Her Beautiful Life Will Live Continuously

 in the Hearts of Her Friends

Ida Mary Bodey Klopp was born in Pennsylvania, October 23rd, 1860

and died in Stanton, Nebraska, February 23rd, 1932

at the age of 71 years and 5 months. She came with her parents

a little girl to Illinois and finally settled in Waterloo, Iowa.

She finished her education in Waterloo after which she

taught school for several years.

On the 17th day of September, 1884, she was united in marriage

 to Loren E. Churchill, who was then county superintendent

of Black Hawk county, he having been among the first graduates

 of Cedar Falls Normal College. Their married life was of short

 duration for he died a year or so after, leaving in her arms a

little infant which they together christened as

 Lorena Sarah Churchill.

Some years after she attended the Harrison Kindergarten

 college at Chicago, and after completing this education,

she established a private kindergarten in Naperville, Illinois,

 where Mr. Klopp met her for the first time while he was

 pastor of Grace Evangelical church, which she attended.

Their affection ripened into marriage and on the

2nd day of January 1894 they were joined in matrimony

by Rev. W. F. Pitner at Waterloo, Iowa, at the home of her parents.

Their only attendants were Grace and Lorena who were

 eight years old at that time.

At the time of this marriage, Mr. Klopp who was a widower

and having two children, Ward Kramer and Grace Beatrice,

and Mrs. Klopp having Lorena, this combination blended

beautifully into one harmonious family. To their union were born

 Ruth in Naperville, who died in infancy at the age of 5 months;

 Dwight Bodey and Loren Churchill in Chicago, and John Newell in Stanton, all of whom have established homes of their own.

They came to Stanton in 1898 where Mrs. Klopp has since resided.

The history of her life since that time is an open book to all.

During Mr. Klopp's entire pastorate she has been superintendent of the primary department of the Congregational Sunday school where her knowledge of children was some years.

The last two years of her mothers life were spent in her home,

where she lovingly and faithfully cared for her

 until the time of her mother's death.

Mrs. Klopp's greatest desire, as a pastor's wife supplemented

 by the fact that she had been a teacher in kindergarten schools

 for  was to carry out the plans and purposes of her husband.

 She was a loving and faithful help-mate,

 a devoted mother, and a loyal friend of everyone without

distinction of class or creed. She died in the triumph of the

Christian faith. Among her last words were those of the

 23rd Psalm, which she repeated word for word

in the presence of her nurse and friends.

 We face the future with faith and courage.

This obituary was written by Mr. Klopp and his daughter.

Resolutions of Sympathy Extended by Stanton Business Men's Club

In Memory of Mrs. J. J. Klopp

Whereas; The Heavenly Father in his love and mercy,

has called Ida M. Klopp, wife of Reverend John J. Klopp,

into eternal life;

and Whereas; The bereaved husband has lost a true,

devoted wife and companion,

and the children a most kind and loving mother;

 and Whereas: This organization recognizes that the greatest

asset of business and citizenship is character,

and Mrs. John J. Klopp, having so nobly and generously

contributed to the molding of the minds and hearts

of our youth, our future citizens, we deeply feel her loss;

and Whereas; Her noble life; untiring and unselfish efforts,

will abide for years to come, in the lives that have been touched by her precepts and example, and our community has been enriched

because of her life;

and Whereas; We the members of the Stanton Business Men's Club,

of Stanton, Nebraska, wish to convey to the grief-stricken husband and children our heartfelt sympathy in this their hour of great sorrow and bereavement; therefore be it.

Resolved; That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the

bereaved family, and that they also be spread upon the

 minutes to become a part of the records of this Club.

The Stanton Register

Tuesday

March 1, 1932

Rev. John J. Klopp

Funeral Friday

Services Held in Congregational Church - Rev. H. E. Lacy in Charge

PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTY

AND EVERY CHURCH PAY

LAST RESPECTS

Funeral Services for Rev. J. J. Klopp, pastor of Stanton's Congregational church for thirty two years, were held in the Congregational church, Friday afternoon, with Rev. H. E. Lacy, present pastor, in charge. Rev. E. Merle Adams, pastor of the First Congregational church, Norfolk, assisted. Stanton business houses were closed during the services.

Services at the Stanton cemetery were in charge of the local Masonic lodge.

He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. L. Pryor, Council Bluffs, Iowa and four sons, Rev. Ward of Plainview; Dwight of Waterloo, Iowa; Loren of Blair, Nebraska and Newell of Clinton, Iowa.

OBITUARY

Rev. Klopp was born September 20, 1859, Freeport, Illinois, and

 died at the Florence home of Omaha, Tuesday, April 16, 1935.

 aged 75 years, 6 months and 26 days.

After attending rural school until he was thirteen years old,

he entered Northwestern College at Naperville.

Later he attended the Northern Indiana Normal College preparatory to teaching. Four years later he completed his college course at

Northwestern and entered the ministry.

He was a member of the United Evangelical Association.

 After serving two Illinois charges he went to Holdrege, Nebraska

and from thence to Melbourne, Florida on account of his wife's health.

While there he supplied the Congregational church but felt

obligated to refuse to become their permanent pastor.

After three markedly successful years of preaching at

Naperville a division in the organization of his denomination

led him to resign and accept a unanimous call from the Bethany Congregational church in Chicago.

It was after several years in this church

that he accepted the Stanton charge.

A Word of Appreciation from the Klopp Children

The members of the family have appointed me to write in their behalf,

 to all of the people of Stanton thru the Stanton Register.

We can hardly thank each one individually for there were so many expressions of sympathy expressed in as many different way,

each a beautiful tribute to father's life in Stanton.

We do thank each individual, each organization

and each place of business for the love and respect

for our father expressed at this time.

How father loved Stanton, her very soil,

and all of the people in and around Stanton!

I cannot recall one unkind word which he ever said

about anyone in Stanton. As I neared Stanton with his body

 last Thursday morning, I could imagine him smiling and saying,

"Oh it's good to be home!" Perhaps it was a coincidence, 

perhaps not, but the Sunday preceding his death he told

Loren that he was going home the following week.

The entire day of Friday, April 12, climaxed by the Masonic

service so beautifully and sincerely conducted at the grave,

 was a grand finale to the symphony of father's life in Stanton.

We have been reminiscing the last few days and amid tears,

 and laughter, looking at the old pictures of friends,

weddings, picnics and babies.

All prized so highly by both father and mother.

Now that our last tie with Stanton is broken,

 we wish to thank you, each and everyone,

for your kindness in bringing so much joy and

happiness into the lives of our parents during

 the 35 years spent in your midst.

And now as father would say,

"The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face to shine upon you,

and be gracious unto you.

 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

 Amen"

Grace (Klopp) Pryor

The following item, published in an issue of the Register in 1931,

 gives a detailed list of

 Rev. Klopp's activities while in Stanton.

Present Church Built in Recognition of His Ability

Few men have the pleasure of seeing a monument erected

for them during their life, but to Rev. J. J. Klopp,

beloved citizen of Stanton, is given the joy of seeing daily a mark of the esteem in which he is held by his friends.

The church in which the Congregationalists our our city

 worship every week was built primarily in recognition of Rev. Klopp's outstanding ministry here and was financed by his trustees in an effort to induce him to refuse a call to a larger pastorate.

When Rev. Klopp came to Stanton the church was not very strong, numerically or financially. The congregation was discouraged over an accumulated debt of $1,200. The Sunday school was small and lacking in interest but Rev. Klopp labored faithfully, tirelessly and lovingly so that, although he did not consider himself a financer, he succeeded in having the debts paid, in putting the finances on a business foundation, in enlarging the parsonage, in building up the congregation numerically and spiritually and in putting the Sunday school attendance level at a high mark. 

Evidence of the high regard in which he was held by the towns

 people is found in an editorial about Rev. Klopp from the Register of that year. he ranks with the best and most highly respected of the Nebraska clergy. At home no man stands higher in every way and surely no minister ever held a pastorate in this place who was held in higher regard from a Christian standpoint. He is sympathetic, energetic, persistent and charitable. His daily walk is the most inspiring of sermons.

The Congregational church building at that time was a little white frame structure which now stands west of the present church.

It was hopelessly inadequate for the congregation.

When Rev. Klopp had preached there seven years he received

a call from the David City congregation. They were very urgent in their request for him to come to their church and

Rev. Klopp felt that it was his duty to accept this larger opportunity.

The church in David City was new and large and although

he knew that Stanton needed a similar structure he felt

 himself inadequate to finance the project. So he resigned,

hoping that his successor would be able to do the work.

But the people of Stanton knew what a valuable citizen

they were about to lose. The Register printed a rousing

editorial demanding of Congregationalists why they were

permitting the city to lose so valuable a citizen.

The congregation was aroused and after offering to match

 the salary at David City and to finance the erection of a new church,

they convinced Rev. Klopp that his mission was to continue

 the work here in Stanton, even though his books and household

effects were all packed for the move to David City.

The work on the new church was pushed with all possible speed.

 It was a beautiful and elaborate structure and was completed

 in the spring of 1906. The congregation had been worshiping

in the basement until the building was completed. 

The new furnishings were stored in the old church until they

 could be installed. On the Sunday before dedication,

 while Rev. Klopp was glancing over his sermon

 and his wife was dressing for church,

a small boy dashed into the parsonage shouting,

"Our church is on fire!" An overheated furnace much have

 started the flames and they had gained such headway

 that they were uncontrollable.

It was with heavy hearts that the minister and his people

watched their new temple consumed by the flames.

 But that afternoon a committee called on Rev. Klopp

and assured him that the task of rebuilding would begin at once.

Fortunately the insurance policy upon which the ink was hardly dry,

covered the loss and within six months the congregation

dedicated this building to God in recognition of the

labors of his faithful servant, their pastor.

In the years that followed, Rev. Klopp received numerous

attractive calls from larger churches, including another

from David City and one from Omaha.

In 1921, after having lived here twenty-three years,

he accepted a call to Chadron, Nebraska.

It was an excellent charge in a pleasant college town.

The people of Chadron appreciated highly the ability and talents of their pastor and during his stay built a new parsonage.

 But it was not "home" so three years later the Klopp's

 responded to an urgent call from the Stanton Congregation to return.

 During their stay in Chadron Rev. Klopp made nine trips

back to officiate at funerals here in Stanton.

And he has remained here ever since administering not only

to the members of his own congregation but helping every life

with which he comes in contact. Friendly and cheerful,

 Rev. Klopp is never too busy to encourage the weary,

advise the bewildered and bring solace to those in trouble.

 He is truly the Good Samaritan of Stanton.

In all the thirty-three years since then, Stanton has been his home,

except for three years at Chadron. When he first came,

Stanton was only a little village with board walks and lamp lit homes.

Horses served very well as a means of transportation

and the more daring souls risked their necks on those first bicycles with gigantic wheels. Rev. Klopp says he remembers his wonderment

 at the cyclists ability to remain upright on two wheels in so miraculous a manner. Even more startling were the first automobiles

 which were regarded with great suspicion and were expected to

blow up at any moment.

Rev. Klopp has surely been a faithful patron of the Stanton public schools.

All of his six children have been educated within its walls.

Six times he has attended graduation exercises which closed

the high school career of one of his children. He is a firm believer

 in education and feels that school life is the most adequate

preparation for success in life. Three of his boys served in the army

during the last war. Not content with this patriotic offering

to his county, Rev. Klopp attempted to enlist himself,

 but his age and physical condition would not permit.

Five of the children are happy and prosperous today,

living testimony of the influence of a good home

and of excellent Christian parents

Much of the inspiration and help that Rev. Klopp has

received in his life of Christian thinking and good deeds

has come from his wife. Born in Pennsylvania, she came with

 her parents to Waterloo, Iowa when a small child.

As she became a young woman she decided to train as a teacher.

 It was here that she met Rev. Klopp. They were married January 2, 1894. Mrs. Klopp has never ceased to aid her husband in every good work.

 Her loving and sympathetic assistance have in a large measure been the means which have enabled him to give so instinctively

of his service to our community.

And so the years have passed in a constant round of daily service

for God and his fellow citizens. To Rev. Klopp the fullest life

 consists in doing each day just what Jesus Christ would do were

 he on earth. That is his philosophy of life and his constant ideal.

It is small wonder that those who know him revere him as a true

 Samaritan and turn to him in time of trouble.

Although, many of the friends whom he first made in Stanton

are no longer here, there are countless families with whom

 he has enjoyed a life long friendship. He can recall several

couples whom he married during his first years here,

 whose children he later baptized and when the children were grown,

officiated at their weddings and later baptized the grandchildren.

It is no small wonder that Stanton means "home" to the Klopps.

Although their children are all in homes of their own the

living room in which they spent such a happy childhood is

not utterly without their presence. There on the walls

are the faces of successful men, smiling women and beautiful children,

 tokens of love from the children and grandchildren.

Frequent visits are paid to the old home and to the parents

who have been such a wonderful example of the Christian life.

Not only has Rev. Klopp been a pioneer by virtue of his early

residence in Stanton, but he has always been a leader of

all that is good and true and noble. None of us can measure

 the value of his influence on our community or the good

 he has done while living here, but there is no one in Stanton,

who does not admire and honor Rev. Klopp as a respected citizen,

 a faithful friend and a true Christian.

The Stanton Register

Thursday

April 18, 1935