Clara Mae Stavnes

Clara Mae Stavnes

 

Clara Mae Stavnes Kruse, 93, of Postville, died Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at Good Samaritan Society in Postville. Clara was born Dec. 20, 1925 to Gregory and Hazel (Strike) Sheehy in New Hampton. She graduated from New Hampton High School.

 

Clara was united in marriage with John Stavnes in May 1946 in Waverly. Together they farmed for more than thirty years near Castalia. They retired and moved to Postville in 1974. John passed away in 1977. Clara was united in marriage with John Edward Kruse in April 1983, and they resided in both Monona and Sarasota, Florida until John’s death in 1997.

 

In recent years, Clara was a resident of Garden View Senior Community in Monona before moving to Good Samaritan Society in Postville in 2011. Throughout her life, Clara worked at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, enjoyed being a housewife and mother, and was an activities director at Good Samaritan Society in Postville. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. She greatly enjoyed winters in Florida and spending time at the Tri-City Golf Club in Luana.

 

Clara is survived by her children, Suzanne (Robert) Jones of Osprey, Florida; John (Mary) Stavnes of Bettendorf, Iowa; Jeffrey (Janis) Stavnes of Storm Lake, Iowa; Patricia Chechak of Sarasota, Florida; Robert (Sandra) Stavnes of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Timothy (Susan) Stavnes of Billings, Montana; seven grandchildren: Rachel (Eric) Savage of Moline, Illinois; Kari (Daniel) Rau of Brighton, Colorado; Kelly (Timothy) Reilly of Des Moines, Iowa; Kiley (Carli) Engelke of Loveland, Colorado; Jessica (Tyler) Niederhauser of Waukee, Iowa; Hunter Stavnes of Tukwila, Washington; and Lars Stavnes of Billings, Montana; eight great-grandchildren; numerous step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and many friends and neighbors.

 

Clara was preceded in death by her husbands, John Stavnes and John Edward Kruse; parents, Gregory and Hazel Sheehy; infant daughter, Rose Marie Stavnes; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ole and Helga Stavnes; eleven siblings; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

 

A special thank you to the staff at Good Samaritan Society for the compassionate care they provided Clara during her years there.

 

Memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Society and St. Bridget Catholic Church.

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