Kathleen Klomp

 

Kathleen Foulger Klomp

1915 ~ 2008

OGDEN Kathleen Foulger Klomp passed away peacefully in her home on Sun., January 6, 2008, at the age of 92, surrounded by members of her family.
She was born Oct. 31, 1915, in Ogden, UT, to Arthur Burton Foulger and Josephine Bingham Foulger. She was the oldest of five children: Grant Arthur Foulger, Frederick Bingham Foulger, Josephine Foulger (Herrick), and Ralph Carlyle Foulger, all of whom she saw come into this world and depart from it. She grew up in Ogden, Utah, where she attended Ogden High School and later Weber College. It was at Weber College that she first met the love of her life, Spencer Jackson Klomp. When he walked in late on the first day of a literature class, she saw him and wrote in her notebook, "That boy's for me!" Her statement proved
prophetic.

While at Weber College, she and Spencer were active on the debate team. Their professor assigned them to be debate partners, the only co-ed debate team. They spent many hours together in preparation and were rewarded by winning second place in the Pacific Coast Tournament, defeating teams from Stanford, Berkley, and USC big time for a young couple from Ogden. Later, Kathleen went to the College of the Pacific in Stockton, California, on a debate scholarship. There she earned a bachelor's degree in English. Upon graduation, she taught first grade at Polk School for a year and later taught English, history and drama at Washington Junior High for several years. During this time, Spencer served an LDS mission in England and upon his return transferred to Utah State. They continued to date and correspond. Kathleen's prophetic statement when she first saw Spencer was fulfilled when he proposed to her at Squaw Flats on Monte Cristo. She later wrote that he is all she ever wanted. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on November 6, 1939, and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. They made their home in Ogden, where they enjoyed rich and rewarding lives.

Kathleen loved literature and poetry and was a life-long student of both. She returned to Weber State College while in her 50s to study for a master's degree in library science. She enrolled in a children's literature writing class at the age of 90 and continued to write short stories until shortly before her death. She could easily recite poetry that she had memorized decades earlier. Always the teacher, she shared her knowledge and love of English, sentence structure, vocabulary, literature and poetry with her children and grandchildren. Because of her love and interest in these things, her children and grandchildren learned to love them, too. Their playful efforts to stump her with the meaning of some obscure word always met with failure. Grammatical errors made in her presence were rewarded with a gentle correction and explanation. Birthdays, Christmases and other special occasions were frequently marked with epic poems she had written, weaving into them family events and familiar themes. These poems are treasured by her family and bring forth smiles and joy whenever they are recalled.

Kathleen loved her family, and they in turn idolized her. She was known as "Bedste" by her grand-children. Sleepovers with Bedste were cherished occasions involving shopping trips for shoes, making Bedste's famous wholewheat bread, listening to stories and just being with someone whom they dearly loved and who loved them unconditionally. Everyone was always happy to be with Bedste. She was a kind, caring and gracious lady. She taught and led by her example and enriched the lives of all around her.

Kathleen was an active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life. She served in many callings, including Relief Society President, Young Women President and assistant matron of the Ogden Temple. Using her writing and drama talents, she wrote, directed and survived numerous MIA "road shows." Kathleen and Spencer served an LDS mission to Cebu, Philippines from 1981 to 1983, where they shared the gospel and made many life-long friends. They later established a scholarship fund so that young members of the LDS Church in the Philippines could further their education and training. She cherished her membership in the LDS Church and had a strong testimony of the gospel that warmed the souls of all who heard it.

She is survived by her loving husband, Spencer, and her five children and their spouses: Spencer Foulger Klomp (Karen) of Logan, Utah; Ralph Foulger Klomp (Anne) of Denver, Colorado; Gregory Foulger Klomp (Karen) of Mamaroneck, New York; David Foulger Klomp (JoAnn) of Kaysville, Utah; and Kathleen Klomp Austin (Rick) of Layton, Utah. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sister, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sat., January 12, at 11 a.m. in the Ogden Taylor Canyon Ward at 1643 26th Street. Friends may call at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Boulevard in Ogden on Fri., January 11 from 6-8 p.m., and Sat. at the Taylor Canyon Ward from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Ogden Cemetery.

Hortense Beers: Waving Us On

By Kathleen F. Klomp

Kathleen F. Klomp, “Hortense Beers: Waving Us On,” Ensign, Feb. 1990, 70–71

Long before the Church started the consolidated meeting schedule, Hortense Beers was the chorister in her Ogden (Utah) ward. With her pleasant enthusiasm, she always considered being chorister more than merely leading the music. She was leading people—particularly the youth. Sister Beers had a way of getting them to participate as no one else could.
We did not always want to lead a song, organize a program, take part in a lesson, accompany the singing, or be in a quartet, but because of her we all did it. To this day, we remember the triumphs she urged upon us. If we were “reluctant dragons,” she never showed that she knew it.
For forty years now, Hortense has given her ward members the opportunity to lead the singing in Sunday School. At one time she developed what she called her “music staff” to teach us all how to lead a congregation in song. She turns ninety this summer and still teaches conducting.
Her “staff” has ranged from scared eleven-year-olds to returned missionaries; even a few mothers and fathers found themselves in front of the congregation with arm poised for the downbeat. Each week she trained as many as half a dozen or more boys and girls in her living room to lead with a firm upraised arm, to study a song so there would be no “surprises,” and to learn all the ways to be a graceful and successful chorister. Only when one was ready did she schedule his or her first performance.
It is anyone’s guess how many hours Sister Beers spent calling to make appointments and working with the boys and girls, teaching them all they needed to know before their debut. After that initial scary plunge into leading the music, there were always plenty of opportunities for them to gain experience. They gradually lost their fears as their skills increased.
Over the years, the reluctance of Hortense’s students changed to anticipation. The youth of the ward began to eagerly await her call to begin training. It became a status symbol to be on Hortense’s staff. Young people would telephone and ask, “Sister Beers, don’t you think I’m old enough to begin?”
Not one missionary went into the mission field unprepared to lead the singing. If President McKay taught us “Every member a missionary,” Sister Beers taught us “Every one a chorister.” Whenever a missionary left, Sister Beers gave him a telescoping baton and asked him to lead the singing one last time. When he returned, she welcomed him back with another “opportunity.” As he led us with skill and confidence, we realized that for the past two years his competency as a chorister had been used dozens of times, and a little bit of Sister Beers had been in faraway places.
She trained us well. What a legacy she has given to the hundreds of young people who dared to follow her teaching! What a gift she has given to all the Church! Her influence continues to spread.