Ruth I. Clercx

Larchwood, Iowa Ruth Clercx, age 95 of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Larchwood, IA died Monday, July 4, 2011 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM Friday, July 8th at St. Marys Catholic Church in Larchwood, IA with Fr. Jeff Scheisman as celebrant. Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA. Visitation will be Thursday, July 7th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at St. Marys Catholic Church in Larchwood. There will also be a Vigil service at 7:00 PM at the church Thursday evening. Jurrens Funeral Home is in charge of services. Ruth Irene (Lewis) Clercx, born on February 14, 1916, Valentines Day, in Valley Springs, South Dakota, was the third of four children born to Richard C. and Mabel (Watkins) Lewis. In 1935 Ruth left South Dakota and moved to Sacramento, California during World War II where she assisted in the war effort, being employed in the assembly of magnetos. Ruth returned to South Dakota in 1944 to help in the care of her father who had suffered a debilitating stroke. On April 24, 1945, Ruth and Francis F. Clercx were married in Larchwood, Iowa, and farmed west of Larchwood until 1960, when they purchased a new home and acreage in the city limits of that town. Francis passed away on November 22, 1983. Ruth and Francis were blessed with three children: Carmen, Deb, and Craig. Ruth remained in Larchwood until January 1, 2002 when she moved to the Inn of Westport in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She thoroughly enjoyed her new community and the many friends she met in nine years there, as well as the diverse Westport activities. In addition, Hope Haven awarded Ruth service awards in 2007 and 2008 for her countless hours of volunteer work that she found so fulfilling. Ruth was never idle, but always determined, ambitious, and productive. While raising her family, she also became employed fulltime in 1960 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at McKennan Hospital, where she worked for 12 years, and held the position of Supervisor of Central Supply Department. She also made her impact in the 17 years employed at the Holiday Inn-Downtown, from which she finally officially retired on Mothers Day in May, 1992, at the age of 76. Her extensive knowledge and love of flowers and landscaping was a passion she enjoyed her entire life. She was an accomplished seamstress and a wonderful cook, especially known for her delicious apple pies that family and friends had enjoyed over the years. She received great joy in helping loved ones through her tireless work and effort that will always be remembered as an expression of her love for those so important to her. On June 27, 2011, Ruth left Inn on Westport and was relocated to Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls for seven days. Fittingly, she left her earthly home for the luminescent brilliance of her permanent heavenly residence on July 4, 2011. The heavenly hosts now have a new firecracker in their midst