Clair Alison Baldner

Clair Alison Baldner, 93, passed away Monday, February 16, 2026, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa.

Clair was born July 6,1932, son of Laurence and Rowena Baldner, in Des Moines, Iowa, and lived all but approximately two years of his life on the farm northeast of Dallas Center that his family has farmed since 1876.

Following graduation from Dallas Center High School in 1950, he briefly attended McPherson College in Kansas, and in 1952 enlisted in the Air Force, spending most of his time at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss., where he developed his lifelong affinity for good seafood. Following his discharge in 1954, he returned to the family farm and became a good steward of the land for nearly 50 years until his retirement in 2001.

Following retirement he continued to be active in farm life, driving the grain truck at age 90 and enjoying the opportunity to ride in the combine with son Stewart last fall at age 93. He was a dairy producer before becoming a pork producer, was a member of the Dallas County Farm Bureau, Iowa Corn Growers Assoc., Iowa Pork Producers, Iowa Soybean Assoc., and served on the board of directors of the Farmers Co-op in Dallas Center.

Clair married Ann Reynolds in 1956, and she joined him on the farm where they were actively involved in the lives of their four children. During their early years together, they enjoyed bowling and weekly square dancing. Both were active members of the Dallas Center Church of the Brethren, with Clair assuming responsibilities for the Brethren Cemetery for many years.

Together they enjoyed travels across the country and around the world, especially enjoying Texas and Arizona retirement winters in their RV and family summer vacations at Black River Harbor on Lake Superior. Particularly memorable trips were driving to Alaska and cruises through the Panama Canal and to Scandinavia. Clair's strong sense of family was evident in his devotion to his parents, wife, children, grandchildren and extended family. In recent years, he enjoyed attending his great-grandchildren's athletic events and watching Iowa State sports on TV.

When Clair was 12, he played the part of the "well-fed farm boy" in a 1944 World War II Army documentary filmed at the Scott Ellis farm, a mile north of the Baldner farm. These films were shown to soldiers fighting overseas to boost morale. Clair's role was to roll out of bed, run downstairs, say a prayer, gulp a large glass of milk and do his chores before school. They had to reshoot the scene so many times that he had an aversion to drinking milk for many years.

Clair is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Ann; their children, Janell Clary (Bruce) of McPherson, Kan.; Julie Baldner and Stewart Baldner (Lori) of Dallas Center, and Greg Baldner (Jodi) of Johnston; grandchildren, Amy Harland, Nathan Clary, Logan Baldner, Allison Randall, Evan Clary, Olivia Izzo, and Alaina Baldner; great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Rachel, Emeline, Leighton, and Adelaide; sister Nelda Ikenberry; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Karl.

A private family service has taken place. Family and friends are invited to an open house celebrating Clair's life from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2026, at Three Sisters Barn, rural Dallas Center.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the loving care provided by the staff at Spurgeon Manor of Dallas Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Spurgeon Manor or the Dallas Center Church of the Brethren.