David Eugene Klemm
KLEMM, DEMING, VON SCHRADER, DEMARS, DRIPPS, PETROS
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 3/21/2024 at 09:09:52
David Eugene Klemm passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 17, 2024. This was the end of a remarkable and courageous journey to live life in spite of a very rare disease, primary systemic Amyloidosis.
For 29 years, David was professor of arts, religion, and contemporary culture at The University of Iowa Department of Religion. Over the years, it was not unusual for David to be approached by former students who generally told him the same thing, that he was their favorite teacher and often that he had changed their life. He loved teaching and he was the recipient of the Marion L. Huit Award for Faculty Excellence; the Certificate of Appreciation from the provost and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts for significant contributions as Director of the Honors Program; the University of Iowa Hancher-Finkbine Medallion, presented to one faculty member each year for learning, leadership and loyalty to the University of Iowa; and elected as a faculty member of Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Society by student and faculty members.
David loved his family, friends, and life in general. This included, but was not limited to learning, running, swimming, biking, tennis, golfing, reading, camping, watching British TV, vegetable gardening, coaching, watching soccer, Hawkeye and Chicago sports (minus the Cubs), and traveling. These things, his spectacular strength and will, and Cathy’s vigilance, probably kept him going for a full twenty years, long after anyone expected him to survive the Amyloidosis.
He is survived by his loving wife, Catherine Deming of Iowa City, IA; seven children, Matthew Klemm (Sarah von Schrader) of Ithaca, NY, Hannah Klemm of Austin, TX, Stephen (Gina) Klemm of Los Angeles, CA, stepchildren Peter DeMars of Iowa City, IA, Mary DeMars of Chicago, IL, Joanna Deming (Isaac Dripps) of Chicago, IL, and John (Lily) DeMars of Iowa City, IA; eight grandchildren Frances, Oliver, Cecilia, Charlotte, Elijah, Jack, Wyatt and Lucy; sister Joan (Mike) Petros of DeKalb, IL; and sister-in-law Peg Klemm of San Diego, CA, nieces Colleen and Angela, nephew Pete, and their children. David was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Roger Klemm.
The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, aides, guest services staff (Douglas in particular), food service workers, cleaning staff, chaplains, and all those who helped David and the family at The University of Iowa Hospital throughout the years of David’s illness.
To honor and celebrate such a special man, a gathering for family and friends will be held Monday, March 25, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City. A memorial Mass will be Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville. A luncheon with a time to share memories will follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program), Garchen Mila Buddhist Center in Iowa City, or St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Coralville.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
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