Clarence W. Bartlett

Clarence William Bartlett On May 27, 2008, Clarence W. Bartlett went to his Heavenly home to be with the Lord Jesus. He passed away with his loving family at his side at the home of Jerilyn and Kenny Ekstrom near Odebolt, where he had made his home for the last two and a half years. Clarence was born near Denison on September 22, 1910, the eldest son of William and Lena Bohnker Bartlett. He received his education at the Denison Public School. Clarence was baptized in Christ as an infant and was later confirmed into the Lutheran Faith at Faith Lutheran Church in Deloit, where he had since been a lifelong member and served in many office positions. Clarence served in the Army from April 22, 1932, to November 16, 1934, in the Philippine Islands. Later, in the Reserves, he served his country during World War II at the Martin Bomber Plant in Omaha, Nebraska, and at the Military Airplane Plant in Dayton, Ohio, constructing aircraft for the military. On April 28, 1936, Clarence was united into marriage with Viola Schurke at Denison, Iowa. The couple was blessed with the birth of two daughters, Beverlyrae Marie and Sharon Kay. Clarence farmed during this time, and also worked as a foreman at Farmland Foods for many years. Throughout his 97 years, Clarence had lived a life dedicated to conservation and public service. He was one of the first in the area to build terraces on his farm. He had excelled as an athlete, farmer, electrician and philanthropist. He never hesitated to volunteer his services to the many causes that appealed to him and had earned numerous awards and accolades for his efforts. He expressed an outstanding example of environmental preservation by the construction of a major dam and lake on his farm. He later donated that to the Izaak Walton League which included a woodland area, camp ground, trap shooting range and a clubhouse. Because of his interest in conservation, Clarence had also personally endowed a scholarship fund in the Denison High School for any young student entering a conservation related field. Clarence had many interests; fishing, working with electronics, reading, speaking of his days as a boxer and listening to polka music. Most of all he truly enjoyed visiting with people. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Viola; one granddaughter, Joanna Leigh Stehr; one son-in-law, Irvin Stehr; five brothers, Raymond, Floyd, Verl, Donald and Merle; and two sisters, Esther, in infancy, and Lucille Lamp. Those remaining to cherish and honor his memory include his daughters, Beverlyrae Stehr of Odebolt and Sharon and husband, Ed Warren of Council Bluffs, five grandchildren, Jerilyn and her husband, Kenny Ekstrom and Julie Childers of Odebolt, Tamara and her husband, Jeff Lusvardi of Omaha, James Warren of League City, Texas and Buddy Warren and his wife, Monica of Council Bluffs, eight great grandchildren, Allen and David Ekstrom, Kailey and Ryan Childers, Nicole Warren, Rachel Lusvardi and Nikita and Kaylynn Warren, one brother, Ralph Bartlett and his companion, Hanni Cohen of Denver, Colorado, two sisters-in-law, Lois Bartlett of Denison and LaBelle Schurke of Springfield, Missouri, and his many nieces and nephews and friends. Clarence will dearly be missed by his family, friends and community for his personality and his neat sense of humor. Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, June 1, 2008, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Deloit, Iowa, with the Rev. Mark Hansen officiating. Music for the service was provided the congregation singing "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "Asleep In Jesus", "I?m But A Stranger Here, Heaven Is My Home" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" with Nancy Bielenberg serving as organist. Honorary Pallbearers included Don Oehlertz, Chris Clark, Ron Quandt, Steve Winquist, Cyrenus Knief, Charles Schurke, John Schutlz, Larry Grill, Lee Sonnichsen, James Warren, Mike Fritz and Buddy Warren. Pallbearers were Arnold Lamp, Jr., Larry Bartlett, Allen Ekstrom, David Ekstrom, Channing Gray and Conwell Larson. Military Honors were provided by the American Legion Post 8, Denison, Iowa. Interment was at St. John?s Lutheran Cemetery, Stockholm Township, Kiron, Iowa. Following the graveside rites the family invited all in attendance to join them at St. John?s Lutheran Church in Kiron for fellowship and a meal catered by Hy-Vee of Denison. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com .