|
Service:
Join us in celebrating the lives of Regina and Kurt
Klokkenga on Saturday, October 31st from 10:00am to
1:00pm at the Lincoln Banquet Center (201 Madigan
Dr. Lincoln, IL 62656).
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Kurt Douglas Klokkenga,
of Emden, IL, passed away on August 6, 2026, in Hill
City, South Dakota, at the age of 69. He was born
November 30, 1956, in Lincoln, IL, the son of Robert
and Virginia (Behrends) Klokkenga of Hartsburg, IL.
Kurt graduated from Western Illinois University in
1978.
Kurt lived a life marked by family, friendship,
adventure, and an extraordinary passion for
motorcycles. While he appreciated motorcycles of all
kinds, his heart belonged especially to antique and
vintage motorcycles. What began as an interest
became a defining part of his life. Kurt was deeply
knowledgeable about the machines he loved, but
perhaps even more importantly, he loved the people
and friendships that came with them. He became well
known and highly respected in the vintage motorcycle
community. His knowledge, willingness to help, and
genuine passion for riding made him someone others
could count on. Kurt was the kind of enthusiast who
did not simply admire old motorcycles—he understood
them, worked on them, rode them, and helped keep
their history alive. His involvement in
long-distance vintage motorcycle events included
serving as part of the motorcycle sweep crew for the
Motorcycle Cannonball, helping riders and their
machines along the way. His friendships within the
motorcycle community extended far beyond Illinois
and became an important part of his life. But for
all that motorcycles meant to Kurt, his greatest joy
was found in the people he loved. Kurt and Regina
Washam Klokkenga were married for a year and a half,
but those who knew them often spoke of the depth of
their relationship as though they had been together
much longer. Their marriage was a source of great
happiness for Kurt. He embraced Regina’s children,
Nikki and Matt both of Lincoln, as his own, and
Regina’s family became his family in every sense of
the word. Kurt and Regina shared a special bond that
was evident to everyone around them.
Kurt is survived by his daughter, Abby Curry
(Michael) and family of Lincoln, IL. He was preceded
in death by his son, Paul Klokkenga, who passed away
in 2007.
He is also survived by
his brother, Kendall Klokkenga (Kim) of Glendale,
AZ; sisters Roberta Klokkenga of Springfield, IL,
and Lorna Klokkenga of San Antonio, TX; and by
Regina’s children, daughter, Nikki Chapman and son,
Matt Chapman (Amy) and family, all of Lincoln, IL.
|
He leaves behind his
nephew, Matthew Klokkenga (Melissa) and his family
of Peoria, AZ; Valerie Barr (Austin) and her family
of Glendale, AZ. Kurt’s cousin, Mary Anderson and
her husband, Tom, of Hartsburg, IL, and their sons,
Robert Anderson of Lumberton, NJ and Ryan Anderson
(Lindsey) of Lincoln, IL and their children were a
constant and loving presence throughout Kurt’s life.
Kurt will be
remembered not only for the motorcycles he restored,
rode, and cherished, but for the stories,
friendships, knowledge, and generosity he shared
along the way. To those in the vintage motorcycle
community, he was a respected and valued friend. To
his family, he was a brother, father, uncle, cousin,
and husband whose place in their lives can never be
replaced.
Kurt and Regina’s lives ended together, leaving
behind a family and a community grieving two lives
that brought tremendous love and joy to those
fortunate enough to know them.
Join us in celebrating the lives of Regina and Kurt
Klokkenga on Saturday, October 31st from 10:00am to
1:00pm at the Lincoln Banquet Center (201 Madigan
Dr. Lincoln, IL 62656).
Kurt and Regina both left the earthly plane doing
something they loved joining their loved ones above.
While we are here to mourn their loss, we come
together to celebrate the beautiful people they
were. The lives they touched. The love they spread.
If you would like to share a story at the
celebration, please message and let us know.
If you have any memories you would love to share,
please follow the
link to upload your photos.
Donations for Regina may be made out to:
Logan County Animal Rescue
750 Prairie St.
Lincoln, IL, 62656
attn: Kelly Cale
Donations for Kurt:
Kurt & Paul Klokkenga Memorial Scholarship Fund
Hartsburg State Bank
PO Box 200
Hartsburg, IL 62643
A light meal will be provided during the
celebration.
Link for the event on Facebook. |
