Joan Kay Klepper

Joan was born in Fresno, CA on February 11, 1940, to her loving parents, Harvey and Betty McKenry. Joan was raised in Fresno where she graduated from Fresno High School and later from California State University, Fresno, majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. Over the years Joan worked as a lab technician at Children's Hospital Central California. While in college, Joan met her loving husband of 47 years, Bill Klepper. They went on to have a son Michael, and a daughter Jodi. In 1967, the family moved to Tampico, Mexico where they developed wonderful friendships, experiences, and memories, until moving back to Fresno in 1971. It was after that time they reconnected with those that would continue to be lifelong friends. Joan was a tennis player and golfer spending many years involved with Fig Garden Swim & Racquet Club, San Joaquin Country Club, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club. She was involved with various local Guilds and was a manager at Holiday Boutique. Joan had a strong love for family, friends, and she always had a full social calendar. Along with her love for golf, she also enjoyed playing bridge, mahjong and traveling the world with Bill, and her family and friends. The word "no" was not in Joan's vocabulary, in life and in her illness. She lost her long and fearless battle to cancer on November 22, 2014, in Carmel, CA, her home away from home. Joan will leave a void that will be felt, but has taught all who loved her to live life everyday as it is a gift. Joan was preceded in death by her husband Bill, in 2008. Joan is survived by her son, Michael Klepper; daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Klepper; daughter, Jodi Davison; her seven adoring grandchildren, Conner, Clay and Kate Davison, Cameron, Karly, Ellie, and Jamie Klepper; her sister-in-law, Beverly Giffin; and her many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at Peoples Church, in the G.L. Johnson Chapel, 7172 N. Cedar Avenue, Fresno, CA, on Monday, December 1, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey Peninsula, P.O. Box 221582, Carmel, CA 93922. Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home, 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno, California (559)227-4048