Clara Inman

Clara Ruthanna Inman, 91, of Atlantic, Iowa, was born August 1, 1917, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Stoltz) Thraen in Osmond, Nebraska, and passed away Sunday, January 18, 2009, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

At the age of three months her family moved to rural Portsmouth, Iowa, and then moved to Harlan, Iowa, when she was 10. Clara attended rural school and the Harlan Community Schools, graduating from Harlan High School.

On April 12, 1939, she married Everett Inman in Harlan, Iowa. Together they farmed in rural Cass and Shelby counties until Everett's death in 1970. Clara then moved to Atlantic. She worked for 22 years at the Heritage House in Atlantic until her retirement in 1992.

Clara was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic where she was part of the Altar Rosary Society. She also was a member of the Heritage Retirement Club, and the Eat, Talk, and Chatter Club.

She will be remembered as a frugal, fair and self-reliant woman. Clara had strong faith in the Lord. She lived a simple life, content with what she had, never a complaint was voiced. Family, especially her grandchildren, meant everything to her. She also held a special place in her heart for her eleven brothers and sisters.

Clara was a traditional farmer's wife and took great pride in their farming accomplishments. She enjoyed gardening and would can anything that grew on a tree or from the ground, and truly liked to cook and serve that food to her family. She also enjoyed playing cards and spending time with family and her friends from the Marne community.

Survivors include her children; Larry (Mary Ellen) Inman of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Judith (George) Jenkins of Liberty, Missouri, James (Alice) Inman of Kansas City, Missouri, Gerald (Connie) Inman of Mechanicsville, Iowa, David Inman of Fairview, Texas, and Laurie (Dennis) Barrett of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her sister, Mary (Paul) Ryterske of Racine, Wisconsin; her eighteen grandchildren, Kristine Inman-Roorda, Rochelle Davis, Greg Jenkins, Becky Wrabetz, Jodie Mayberry, Shelly Anthony, A'Lisa Hubbard, Eric Inman, Heidi McBratney, Joe Inman, Amy Heinen, Stephanie Inman, Kellie Inman, Nicholas Inman, Kevin Inman, Elizabeth Barrett, Matthew Barrett, and Andrew Barrett; her 26 great-grandchildren; her great-great grandchild; and her nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Everett; her brothers, Henry, Andrew, Alfred, and Ralph Thraen; and her sisters, Eleanor Schleimer, Amelia Heese, Josephine Schleimer, Evelyn Kenkel, Magdalene Talley and Irene Tank; and her daughter-in-law, Judie Otcheck.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, with burial in the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 20th from 1:00 - 8:00 p.m., with the family present to greet friends from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. A scripture prayer service will be held at 8:00 p.m. with a family rosary service to follow, all at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

A luncheon will be held following the committal service in the church parish center.

Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements.