Clarence Petri

C.A. (Clarence August) PETRI, age 104, peacefully passed on March 10, 2012, at the Community Care Center in Stuart, Iowa.

He was born July 14, 1907, at the family's Guthrie County farm home. He was the son of John Heinrick and Frieda Sophia (Damman) Petri. Clarence was baptized August 11, 1907, and confirmed March 30, 1923, both at St. John's Lutheran Church east of Exira/northwest of Adair. The family moved to their Audubon County farm where Clarence grew up, attended school, and farmed with his father.

Clarence and Annetta Emily (Net) Wesack were married at the Bill Wesack Farm north of Adair April 9, 1933. Clarence and Net lived on and operated the Petri Farm in Audubon County. In 1945 they and daughter, Jane, moved to their Guthrie County farm north of Adair. Net passed on June 7, 1961. Clarence continued on the farm with their farming operation. In July 1971, Clarence and Marie Bireline-Smith were married and resided in Adair. Marie passed in October, 1988. Clarence retired from grain farming in 1971, but continued part-time in the livestock operation for a number of years. Even up to the very last Clarence enjoyed getting out for rides and continued to enjoy his "windshield" farming.

Clarence was an active lifetime member of rural St. John's and in-town Immanuel Lutheran Churches. He and Net were co-founders of St. John's Fellowship Club. Clarence served as an Elder for a number of years. He also served and volunteered on numerous committees and boards associated with the churches, agriculture, the County and City of Adair. He enjoyed being elected by Adair as one of their 1997 King Candidates. He was also elected as King two different years by his fellow residents while at the Adair Nursing Home. You never heard Clarence say anything but good things about people, and he never met a stranger.

Clarence was preceded in death by his father in 1962 and mother in 1941; his sister, Florence, passed on in 1921 (age 11), sister, Edith Tibben (Walt) in 1998, and sister, Irene Maxwell (Merle) in 2007; and his two wives. Also predeceasing him have been nieces, nephews, as well as sisters- and brothers-in-law.

Clarence is survived by his daughter, Jane of Adair; sister-in-law, Sadie Wesack of Adair; and many other wonderful relatives and friends. Also surviving Clarence are two special stepdaughters and their families, Karen Smith-Cahail and Janet Smith-Walker.

Services are planned for 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 16, 2012, at St. John's Lutheran Church northwest of Adair.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral also at the church.

Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.

Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair is in charge of the arrangements.

Please honor the family's request that you do not send flowers.