Mary Theresa Clercx

Mary Clercx, age 95 died Thursday, August 27, 2009 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, August 31st at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Fr. Jeff Schleisman as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Holy Name Catholic Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Sunday, August 30th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids. Also there will be a Vigil service at 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home Sunday evening. Mary Theresa Clercx was born on July19, 1914 on a farm by Larchwood, IA, the daughter of George and Theresa (Wagner) Kramer. She went to school in Larchwood at St. Marys Catholic School, boarding with the nuns in the convent during the winters. She completed the 8th grade. On June 5, 1934 she married John F. Clercx in Larchwood at St. Marys Catholic Church. After the marriage they lived west of Larchwood. That is were their daughter Peggy was born on April 1, 1939. In 1940 they moved to a farm by Rock Rapids, IA. On March 11, 1942 their son Duaine John Clercx was born. Mary was an active gardener all her life. She continued having a large garden until 1999. Mary was active in the St. Catherines Society for many years. She also was active in the Navy Mothers for many years and was commander for one year. She continued to live on the farm after Johns death in 1990, until her health deteriorated and went to Lyon Manor Nursing Home on Jan. 19, 2004. Mary is survived by son, Duaine (Jeannette) of Rock Rapids and son-in-law, Virgil (Mary) Reemts of Worthington, MN; five grandchildren, Dawn (Mike) Ling of Ames, IA, Gay Harberts of Milford, IA, Melody (Gary) Ailts of Rushmore, MN, John Clercx of Knoxville, TN and Sara (Ryan) Hage of Vermillion, SD; eleven great-grandchildren, Amber (Nick) Roberts, David (Sarah) Ling, Christina Ling, Andrew (Colbie) Harberts, Lynn Harberts, Travis Ailts, Keith Ailts, Jenna Clercx, Trey Hage, Tyson Hage and Tate Hage and one great-great-grandson, Jason Roberts; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John Clercx in 1990; daughter, Peggy; and three brothers and three sisters.