Tom Klump, 63 years old of New Alsace, passed away unexpectedly on July 4, 2023. Born and raised in New Alsace, Tom always lived within 100 yards of Klump’s Tavern…whether it was above it, across the street, or down North Dearborn Road, he always lived in the heart of town. A graduate of St. Paul’s Elementary and East Central High School, Tom was known to drive a dump truck to school so he could leave early and start hauling gravel. He started working at a young age by buying his own International Bulldozer at age 15 and added on a Backhoe a year later. With this equipment, Tom started Klump Excavating & Construction in 1976 when he was just 16 years old. In 1978, he purchased a brand new 951 Track Loader and a 350 John Deere Bulldozer and never looked back. Tom had launched a successful business that continued to grow year after year. Klump Excavating & Construction has successfully expanded and worked in nearly every state on this side of the Mississippi. Everyone knew Tom. And Tom knew so many people that he could be on vacation in Florida and run into someone he knew. Work was his life, but he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, admitting he would never retire.
When Tom wasn’t working, he found plenty of time to dote on his wife, kids, and grandchildren. Married during a snowstorm on February 16, 1985, it was only fitting that he and his wife, Kathy, rode in the bucket of a backhoe to get to the church because the roads were so bad. Tom’s other partners in life were his Chocolate Labradors. Charlie, Tom’s first dog, could always be found riding on the back of his Harley with him. After Charlie passed, Tom got another Chocolate Lab and named him Charlie Jr., aka, CJ, who never left his side and enjoyed riding in the Ranger with Tom. Tom enjoyed the family vacations around the 4th of July every year when the entire family would go out of town. Everyone had just gotten back from a trip to Gatlinburg on the day of Tom’s accident. Being able to spend his last few days with his family was a blessing to everyone.
Tom will be deeply missed by his wife, Kathy, of 38 years; his children Jennifer (Jimmy) Klump, Janice (Klump) Henry, and Thomas (Julia) Klump; grandchildren Jacob & Jarrett Sterwerf, Lane & Lexi Klump, Weston & Cora Henry, and Kinsley Klump; siblings Mary (Wes) Booker, Debbie (Greg) Turner, Rick (Kathy) Klump, Cindy (Bob) Hilty, and Kay Nocks; in-laws: Connie (Mike) Edmundson, Joe (Cheryl) Barnhorst and father-in-law Robert Barnhorst. He is preceded in death by his parents Hilda & John Klump, brother John Klump, mother-in-law Victoria Barnhorst, brother-in-law Gerald Nocks, and nephew William “Wyatt” Yelton. Visitation for Tom will be held on Friday, July 7 at Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home. Rosary will begin at 3:45pm and visitation will be from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. Additional parking can be found at St. John’s Campus and lots adjacent to the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, July 8 at 11:00am at St. Paul’s Campus of All Saints Parish with Father Jonathan Meyer presiding. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Cemetery Fund or North Dearborn American Legion Post. Memorials will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.