Klaver, James 1980-2003

KLAVER, RITZEMA

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 3/11/2015 at 00:08:18

Source: Sioux Center News (7-16-2003)

Born: April 26, 1980
Died: July 9, 2003

James Klaver, 23, of Le Mars died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Services will be 10 A.M. Saturday at Le Mars Bible Church, with the Reverends Wick Hubers officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be after 3 P.M. today, with the family present 6 to 8 P.M. and a prayer service at 7 P.M., all at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.

James Albert Klaver was born April 26, 1980, in Sioux Center, Iowa, to Kenneth and Trudy (Ritzema) Klaver. He attended Sioux Center Christian School, Orange City (Iowa) Christian School and Le Mars Community School, graduating in 1998. He enjoyed travel and adventure and became a foreign exchange student to Dusseldorf, Germany, during his senior year of high school.

He began his studies at Dordt College and was diagnosed with leukemia (AML) in April 1999. He received a new lease on life via a stem cell transplant from his little sister, Tricia. Afterwards, he was determined to live life to the fullest and pursued his interest in photography, pottery and more extensive travel to Europe and Canada. Theater pursuits kept him active in both high school and college.

Music was one passion, which followed him throughout his entire life. He was active in choir, show choir and All-State choir during high school. A self-taught guitarist, he played and sang for many chapel and church services. He also formed a band called “Wister Dean,” with friends and his little brother, Dan. He spent two summers as a counselor and worship leader at Camp Manitoqua in Frankfort, Illinois. He was diagnosed with leukemia (ALL) again in April 2003. Between chemo treatments, he was able to return to graduate from Dordt College with a bachelor of arts degree in theology and theater.

He was grateful to the doctors and nurses on the Mayo staff for all the care and compassion, but after a valiant struggle, he went to be with the Lord on July 9, 2003.

He is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Trudy Klaver of Le Mars; two sisters, Leanne and Tricia, both of Le Mars; a brother, Dan of Le Mars; a special friend, Laura Groen of Minneapolis; maternal grandparents, Albertus and Patricia Ritzema of Fulton, Illinois; a paternal grandmother, Mary Klaver of Sanborn, Iowa; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Clarence Klaver; and an uncle.