Holly Klapper, 62, of Tempe, Arizona, passed away on December 23, 2022, after a short battle with cancer.

Holly was born on March 13, 1960, to Mary and Joseph Narro, at Fort Campbell Army Base in Kentucky. Part of a military family as a young child, Holly lived in several different states while growing up, but always held a special place in her heart for her small hometown of Central Lake, Michigan, and the nearby town of Traverse City. Her Michigan summers were spent swimming at the local lakes, helping with the family’s garden, and occasionally picking cherries at the local orchards to earn spending money. She always prided herself as a track athlete growing up and enjoyed spending time with her three sisters and her many cousins who lived in that area.

Holly moved to Arizona with her parents when she was still in high school. In her young adult years, she met and married David Klapper and eventually had two children — Melissa and Clayton. She spent those years as a working mother, helping to raise the two children and always working a full-time job at the same time. She spent many years working as a purchasing agent at Tech Mold in Tempe, Holly eventually divorced amicably with David Klapper around 2010.

In her later years, Holly met Bruce Rosenkrantz and fell in love. The two enjoyed the outdoors, and traveled to the high country with their camper as often as possible. They both also enjoyed cooking at home (pizza on the grill was a favorite). Holly was a passionate home cook and could always be found in the kitchen making something new for Bruce or one of her kids or other family members to try, probably with some classic rock playing in the background.

Holly was preceded in death by her father Joe, her mother Mary, and her ex-husband David.

She is survived by her life partner Bruce; her children Melissa and Clayton; sisters Pam, Teresa, and Marcy; and several grandchildren including Zoe, Mackenzie, and Allie.

In lieu of flowers, the family says that a very small donation could be sent to Clayton on Venmo (@clayton-klapper), to be given to her nurses at Banner Desert in Mesa on a Starbucks gift card, in gratitude for their hard work keeping her comfortable in her final days.

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