Clara Lewis

Larchwood, IA Clara Lewis, age 98 of Larchwood, IA died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 at Sanford Hospital Rock Rapids in Rock Rapids, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, Dec. 1st at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Father Jeff Schleisman as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA. Visitation will be Friday, Nov. 30th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. There will also be a Vigil service held at 7:00 PM at the church. Clara Josephine Roemen Lewis was born March 27, 1914 in Larchwood, IA to John Herbert and Gertrude Elizabeth (Schacken) Roemen. She was raised in Larchwood and received her education at St. Marys Catholic School in Larchwood. On August 31, 1937 she was united in marriage to Ed Lewis at St. Marys Catholic Church in Larchwood. The couple first lived on a farm near Rock Valley. They then continued their farming lives by moving to farms near Little Rock and then Rushmore before retiring in 1971 and moving to Ellsworth, MN. Clara was always very involved with all aspects of the farming operation. Along with raising their children, she worked side by side with her husband. She milked cows, tended to the other animals and found time to keep a large garden. She was known as a wonderful cook and often, in very short notice, whipped up large meals for hard working farm hands. After retiring from the farm, Clara worked for several years as a Nurses Aide at Park View Manor in Ellsworth. In their younger years, Clara and Ed loved to dance and play cards with friends and relatives. She also enjoyed music and working word puzzles. But mostly Clara loved her family. She was a wonderful caregiver to her sister Anna VanAcken for many years as well as her husband, Ed. She cared for Ed as he struggled with Alzheimers disease for their last 7 years together. He died in February of 2002. She was a very strong woman and continued to live in her home in Larchwood until October of this year when she moved to the Rock Rapids Health Centre. This past Monday, November 26th Clara passed away with family by her side at the age of 98. She will be greatly missed. Clara is survived by six children, Edward Lewis and his wife Shirley of Fulda, MN, Larry Lewis and his wife Cathy of Ellsworth, MN; Carol Viereck and her husband Dave of Canton, SD; Elaine Krukemeyer and her husband, Bob of Bend, OR; Judi Senne and her husband, Ken of Angola, IN; and Donna Tritabaugh and her husband, Phil of St. Paul, MN; along with 21 grandchildren; 50 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joyce Ver Meer of Rock Rapids, IA and Iona Eckhoff of Sioux Falls, SD; and other extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years; 2 grandchildren; 4 brothers and 5 sisters.