Elmer Edward "Ed" Klapwyk

- E. Edward "Ed" Klapwyk of Missoula, MT went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at his home with family by his side on Saturday, June 14th, 2014 at the age of 78, after fighting a sudden but very brave battle with cancer.

Ed was born to Blanche Opal Clark on March 15, 1936 in Grass Valley, CA. He and his sister, Barbara Joy, were later adopted when Opal met William Klapwyk. The family then grew to include brothers William Arie and Dennis Clark.

Ed became a Missoula native at a very young age where he grew up in the Rattlesnake area. Ed spent his younger years on the family owned and operated dairy farm, The Clover Leaf Dairy.

Ed left the familiar lands of home in 1954, when he joined the U.S. Navy, serving our country while traveling the world until 1958. While in the Navy, Ed married Roberta "Bobbi" Kindler. That union gave us three wonderful children, Guyla Rae, Edward David, and Robert William.

After completing his service in the Navy, he returned to his home of Missoula where he would spend and devote his lifelong career to carpentry and building. Many homes, buildings, and structures in and around Missoula were built by Ed, including almost every home he had personally lived in.

Ed divorced in 1973 and later married Janice Hensley, adding Lisa Natalie and Beth Kay to his family. That union lasted 40 happy years.

Ed had been retired for several years, enjoying his home in Miller Creek. He was a member of Missoula First United Methodist Church, and was an avid bowler. He also enjoyed camping, reading, especially books about historical events, and spending time with his family.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Blanche Opal and William Klapwyk, sister Barbara Chilcote, first wife, Roberta "Bobbi" Klapwyk, and daughter, Lisa Stoutenburg.

Ed is survived by wife Janice "Jan" Klapwyk; daughter Guyla (Russ) Halvorson of Marysville, WA, son Ed (Jeanenne) Klapwyk of Mechanicsville, MD, daughter Beth (Brian) Heuer of Windsor, CO, and son Bob (Tammy) Klapwyk of Hendersonville, TN; grandchildren Michael Fix, Clarissa Halvorson, Erik Klapwyk, Kati Halvorson, Cali Heuer, Meagan Halvorson, Codi Heuer, Hailey Klapwyk, Logan Klapwyk, and Landon Klapwyk; great-grandson Michael Fix; brothers Bill (Patricia) Klapwyk of Hamilton, MT and Dennis (Annette) Klapwyk of Poway, CA; along with many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Services for Ed will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Condolences for Ed's family can also be left at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com

Read Elmer Klapwyk's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.