Evelyn A. Clem

Funeral services for Evelyn Clem, age 93, of Lenox, who died Friday, February 1, 2008 at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston will be held Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Lenox United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Friday at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7. Interment will be held at Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Memorials can be given in Evelyn's name. Memories can be shared with the family on our website at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox. Evelyn Almeta Minnick Clem was born at Wright, Mahaska County, IA, on April 7, 1914 to Homer Lonsdale and Anais Mary Rose Duprez Minnick. The family moved to Montgomery County where she attended Mayflower School, near Morton's Mill. In the spring of 1927, she moved with her family southeast of Corning and attended Jasper 5., She graduated from Corning High School in 1932 with a Normal Training Degree. Following graduation, she taught at Mercer 9 in Adams County and Platte 9 in Union County. On June 13, 1937 in Rockford, IL, Evelyn was married to Earl Harvey Clem, son of William Crossley and Louise Dahlberg Clem, of Kent, IA. Evelyn worked for JC Penney and her husband worked at American Lock. Their daughter Saundra Kay was born in Rockford. When Earl's job caused him some health issues, they returned to IA to farm south of Kent. They also farmed north of Cromwell and north of Lenox before moving into Lenox in 1955. During these years, two sons Edwin Earl and Paul William were born. In the fall of 1953, returned to teaching, accepting a position at Dodge 4, north of Afton and began pursuing her degree education. She graduated from Creston Community College with an Associates Degree in Elementary Education. She completed her studies at Drake University, graduating in 1968 with a degree in English and a minor in Art. Evelyn was teaching at Blue Grove School southwest of Lenox when it was merged into the Lenox Community Schools. She taught in the Lenox system until she retired in 1979. Upon retirement, Evelyn and Earl enjoyed many happy years camping with the Cozy Campers Club. They were members and served as regional officers in the National Campers & Hikers Association. Evelyn was a 4-Her in her youth and served several years as a leader of the Douglas Merry Mixers 4-H Club. She was active in church organizations in Kent, Cromwell and Lenox. Evelyn was a member of the Lenox United Methodist Church, Delta Kappa Sorority, the IA State Education Association, the National Education Association and the Kent Dinner Club. Over the years she belonged to several card clubs enjoying bridge, 500 and canasta. She loved gardening and cooking, always collecting and trying new recipes right up until her death. Evelyn is survived by her daughter Saundra (Jerome) Leininger of Corning, and sons, Edwin (Pam Hobbs) Clem of Ames, and Paul (Patricia) Clem of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England; 8 grandchildren: Timothy (Ruth) Leininger-Omaha; Christopher (Lisa Troiani) Leininger-Beaver, PA; Michele Leininger- Des Moines; Jennifer (Mike) Erickson - Massena; Samantha Clem, Sean (Lisa) Clem, Andrew (fiance Michelle) Clem, and James Clem - all of Stevenage England; 3 step-grandchildren: Jeff (Kristen) Hobbs, Cedar Rapids; Matt (Carla) Hobbs, Story City; Stephanie (Brett) Jones, Story City; 8 great-grandchildren: Nicole Leininger, Storm Lake; Cody Olsen, Natasha and Colton Erickson, Massena; Troy Leininger - Beaver, PA; George and Isabelle Tessier and Jessica Clem, Stevenage, England; 7 step-great grandchildren: Tressa Hobbs, Cedar Rapids; Dana and Alex Hobbs, Story City; Brayton, Jaron, Shaylen and Cavan Jones, Story City; and sisters-in-law: Margarite Minnick, Creston; Leona Minnick, Kent; Creola Clem, Creston, Alta Jean McCafferty, Fort Collins, CO and her friend of 80 years, Gladys Kinnaird Gregg, Albany, OR. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law LaNita (Ralph) Fulk, Thelma (Otis) Holt, Dorothy Clayton George and Robert Clayton, Barbara (Bill) Horne, her brothers: Homer W. Minnick and George W. Minnick, and her brothers-in-law: Donald Clem and Robert McCafferty. Although Evelyn will be greatly missed, her love and inspiration will live on through her family.