Clara Louise Hunter

Clara L. Hunter, 76, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Le Mars. Rev. Jon Meredith will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Remsen, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service on Monday.

Clara Louise Sams was born on June 11, 1947, in Le Mars, Iowa to Everette and Rose (VanVoorst) Sams. She attended school in Le Mars through the 8th grade. During her lifetime, Clara worked at Harker’s, Wells Blue Bunny and Emma Raes Café.

On August 26, 1966, Clara and Thomas Nilles were united in marriage at Vermillion, South Dakota. The couple had two children, Tommy and Stacy. Her husband passed away on April 24, 1970. Clara and Ronald Hunter were united in marriage on June 15, 1973, in Vermillion. The couple had one child, Amy, and lived in Le Mars.

Clara belonged to the First Baptist Church in Le Mars. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning and decorating. Her family was her world.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ronald of Le Mars, IA; her children, Stacy Nilles and Amy (Chris) Krogman all of Le Mars, IA; her stepdaughter, Danielle Hunter of Tampa, FL; step-mother, Juanita Sams of Sioux City, IA; grandchildren, Kyle Nilles, Aaron (Elizabeth) Nilles, Zachary (Lexi) Nilles, Kelsey (Shannon) Nilles, Shayler (Stormii) Nilles, Trennan (Leslie) Krogman, Matlyn (Jode) Krogman, Kadyn Krogman and Evan Krogman; great-grandchildren, McKenzie Sjaarda and Clara Nilles; brothers, Darrell (Phyllis) Sams of Council Bluffs, IA and Everette “EJ” Sams of Le Mars, IA; sisters, Marcia (Dave) Bradley of Avoca, IA, Kim Vanderbeck of Omaha, NE, Sarah Revell of Sioux City, IA, Sally Sams of Sioux City, IA; her adopted sister and friend, Tammy (Gordon) Bock of Le Mars, IA; in-laws, Susan (Ted) Miller of Alcester, SD, Dan (Sandy) Nilles of Le Mars, IA, Jeanie Nilles of Granville, IA, Jan Klein of Le Mars, IA, Nancy Brown of Brandon, SD, Diane (Glen) Brown of Sioux Falls, SD, Gene (Myrna) Nilles of Sioux Falls, SD; many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Thomas Nilles; her son, Thomas Nilles; brother, David Sams; her sister, Beverly Sams; in-laws, Ted and Julia Nilles, Ralph and Mildred Hunter, Jim Nilles, Charlie Brown, Elmer Klein, Carol (Richard) Lang, Dave Hunter and Bonnie Borchers.