Rev. Dr. DeeAnn (Smith) Klapp was born September 23,1951, to Donald Irving and Ann Marie (Bollinger) Smith in Bay Shore, New Jersey. Her growing up years were spent on the east coast, mostly in New Jersey. She enjoyed dancing, painting and playing her beloved vibraphone. She graduated top of her class from Boonton High School and went on to attend the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks obtaining a double major in French and Psychology. At age 23 she met and married the love of her life, John Frances Klapp. Dee Ann went on to receive her masters degree in divinity, Magna Cum Laude, from Garret Seminary and eventually her doctorate of ministry from St. Paul's Theological Seminary. She spent the majority of her adult life in the Midwest; North Dakota, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.
DeeAnn experienced and fulfilled a call to vocational ministry. She was ordained an elder in June of 1985 with the Iowa United Methodist Conference. DeeAnn ministered in ten Methodist churches in Iowa over the course of thirty years; Lovilia, Albia, Avery, Correctionville, Cushing, Pisgah, Mondamin, Little Sioux, Odebolt and Early. DeeAnn was truly a renaissance woman. She poured her life into ministry, music, art, the written word, Bible study, prayer, preaching and people. She also loved horses, Scotland, gardening, Star Trek, vintage cars and most anything purple. Her utmost goal in life was that of fully knowing God and making Him fully known. Even on her deathbed, DeeAnn gave gifts of life and love to those she could. DeeAnn was a joy to all who knew her. In her final days, her only sadness was in leaving a life she loved so dearly.
DeeAnn ascended to her heavenly home on December 19, 2014, after a brave year long battle with cancer, at her home in Correctionville surrounded by her loving family.
DeeAnn was preceded in death by her parents. She will be forever remembered by her loving husband, John Klapp of Correctionville, Iowa; four children and spouses, Christopher Klapp and his wife Jennifer of Centerville, Missouri, Anna and her husband Robert Thoreson of San Antonio, Texas, Charlotte and her husband Dillon Czerny of Chicago, Illinois and Andrew Klapp of Chicago, Illinois, five grandchildren; Michael, Alexander, Nathan, Elijah and Sarah; sister, Cheryl Rogers of Cummings, Georgia; and countless friends and parishioners.
Visits: 22
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors