Violet 'Vi' Josephine Clemsen

Violet “Vi” Josephine Clemsen, the daughter of Ora W. and Minnie (Buckner) Fancher was born October 22, 1925, at her parents’ home in Cameron Township, Audubon County, Iowa, and died January 24, 2014, at the Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa at the age of 88 years, 3 months, and 2 days. Violet attended rural school in Cameron Township and then helped at home. On December 14, 1944, she was united in marriage to Virgil Lavern Clemsen at her parent’s home in Cameron Township, Audubon County. Three daughters: Vickie, Virlee, and Vilinda were born to this union. Virgil was inducted into the United States Army on February 2, 1945. They moved to Tyler, Texas where Virgil was stationed. Virgil was discharged on June 15, 1945, and they returned to Iowa. Virg and Vi operated a farm in Viola Township, Audubon County for 17 years, and then purchased a farm in Cameron Township where they grew row crops and raised livestock until they retired. In 1985, they moved into Audubon. In November of 2011, they moved to Carroll, Iowa and later moved to the Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa. Virgil died April 11, 2013. Violet and Virgil were baptized and were active members of the Central Church in Carroll, Iowa. Violet was a wonderful homemaker, an excellent cook, and seamstress. She enjoyed sharing not only her gift of music, but also her faith with family and friends. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were very important to her. She was an encourager, and her one wish in her later years was to know that all her dear ones know the Lord. Preceding her in death was her husband Virgil L. Clemsen; her parents; her brothers: Jesse Fancher and Glenn Fancher; her sister Olive and husband Dale Westphalen; her sister-in-law LaVonne and husband Leroy Glissman; and her brother-in-law Glen Clemsen. Survivors include her daughters: Vickie and husband Frank Jorgensen of Carroll, Iowa; Virlee and husband John Sklenar of Carroll, Iowa; Vilinda and husband Doug Gleason of Audubon, Iowa; her grandchildren: Angie and husband Chad Bush of Des Moines, Iowa; Kris and husband Jerrod Sieverding of Johnston, Iowa; Kati and husband Ryan Anderson of Des Moines, Iowa; Nick and wife Jacky Sklenar of Glidden, Iowa; Josie and husband Cody Ehlers of Tampa, Florida; Dustin and wife Andrea Gleason of Audubon, Iowa; Abby and husband Andy Stern of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Chad and wife Meg Gleason of Audubon, Iowa; 14 great grandchildren; her sisters-in-law: Rosa Clemsen of Exira, Iowa; Minnie Fancher of Brookings, Oregon; Lavaun Fancher of Audubon, Iowa; her brother-in-law Lyle and wife Jane Clemsen of Fort Dodge, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Sunday afternoon from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be Monday, January 27, 2014, at 10:30 A.M. at the Central Church in Carroll, Iowa.