Clarence Statler

Former Alaskan Clarence C. Statler, age 93, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at the McCreedy Home in Washington, Iowa.

As per his wishes, there will be no funeral and his ashes will be interred in Washington.

Clarence was born on June 27, 1916, in Washington County on a farm between Washington and Brighton, Iowa. He was the last child of nine born to Edgar and Maude Stewart Statler. He graduated from Lockridge High School in Lockridge, Iowa, in 1934 and on Feb. 10, 1940, married Lucille Kurtz in Kahoka, Mo. They were later divorced in 1972.

In 1949, Clarence followed his brother George up to Alaska and, being very mechanically inclined, was able to find lots of work. In June of 1950, he packed up his family along with another family and made the trip up the Alaska Highway in a 1949 Hudson with four adults and three children, pulling all their belongings in a small trailer.

Clarence made Alaska his home until retirement, when he spent summers up north and winters in Niland, Calif. When traveling became difficult, he and his second wife, Lucille Bainer, whom he married in 1974, made Washington, Iowa, their home. While in Alaska, he belonged to the Mt. View Lions Club, Pioneers of Alaska and was a proud 50-year member of the Operating Engineers Union Local 302. He worked for Swalling Construction, Morrison-Knudsen Construction, Chris Berg Construction and NC Machinery.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Lucille Bainer Statler of Washington; his daughters, Linda Newlon (Ron) of Washington, Martha Russell (Gary) of New Bern, N.C., and Patricia Coleman (Henry) of Anchorage. He also leaves his grandchildren, David Newlon of Anchorage, Matthew Newlon of Coralville, Iowa, Christopher Coleman (Becky) of Anchorage and Katie Russell Tanguay (Nick) of Lake Villa, Ill. His great-grandchildren are Sara and Joseph Coleman, and William Tanguay. Clarence also leaves his three stepsons, Charles Bainer, Roland Bainer, and Dr. James Bainer and their wives; 10 step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren. He also had many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by five sisters and three brothers.

Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Iowa City or to the Mt. View Lions Club.