Elizabeth Clarahan

1935 - 2021

ELIZABETH JANE CLARAHAN Iowa City Elizabeth Jane Clarahan, 86, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa, after an extended illness. A rosary service will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City, followed by a visitation from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4330 St. Patrick Dr., Iowa City. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Jane was born July 7, 1935, in Houghton Iowa, to Alvin and Anna Menke. She graduated from St. Elizabeth's High School in 1953, where she met her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Charlie Clarahan. After high school, while Charlie attended St. Ambrose University and served in the US Army, Jane moved to Washington, Iowa, and lived with Charlie's sister Kathleen and her family and worked at the McCleery Calendar Factory. She and Charlie were united in marriage on March 2, 1957. While raising their family full time, Jane also worked for a vending-machine business part time and went on to a 22-year career at Cross Labs doing insurance billing. Faith and family were in the center of everything Jane did. She and Charlie raised seven children in a home rich in faith and love. Her love and dedication to Charlie and her children was second only to her great love of the Lord. Throughout their marriage, Jane and Charlie were active members of St. Wenceslaus and St. Patrick's Churches in Iowa City as well as the Regina community. She never missed an opportunity to volunteer, serving many years of family style dinners at St. Wenceslaus or helping at the Fall Fun Festival amongst many other activities. Jane loved attending her kids' and grandkids' events and activities. She traveled far and wide over the years to support them as long as she was able. She had a special passion for sports and watching her Hawkeyes! Jane had a generous spirit, she expressed her love by making sure everyone always had what they needed, whether that was a meal or a hug. She had a way of making anyone who entered her home feel like family. Jane truly lived a life rich in integrity, kindness, compassion and faithfulness. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends; as each of them knows, they are a better person for having known and been loved by Jane. Jane is survived by her children, Rick (Sarah) Clarahan, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, Susan (Mike) Mango, Solon, Iowa, Mary Jane (Jeff) Deahr, Urbandale, Iowa, Marcia (Randy) Davidson, Lake Ozark, Mo., Bill (Robin) Clarahan, Iowa City, Iowa, and Tricia (Andy) Schreiner, West Des Moines, Iowa; 12 grandchildren, Jake Clarahan, Tamra Thole, Greg (Ali) Thole, Megan (Brian) Olson, Jenny (Ben) Witt, Joe (Heather) Davidson, Amber (John) Stubbs, Cody Davidson, Shelby Clarahan, Kelsey Clarahan, Bailey Schreiner and Drew Schreiner; nine great-grandchildren, Finn Lovelady, Jack Thole, Kennedy Witt, Hadley Witt, Oliver Witt, Connor Davidson, Colton Davidson, Fern Stubbs and Mary Stubbs; her sisters, Eileen Clarahan and Mary Ann (Alan) Bohr; and brother, Donald Menke. Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie; her parents, Alvin and Anna Menke; son, Philip Allan Clarahan; and brother, Victor Menke. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Patrick Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The family would like to thank the staff at Crestview Specialty Care in West Branch for the excellent and compassionate care they provided.