Our mother, Clarice Ruth Bartz, brightened this earth for 86 years and answered Jesus' call to heaven on September 24, 2024. Her departure from this world leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew her.

Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m., on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, Iowa. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Weeg officiating. Burial will be at Kensett Cemetery, Kensett, Iowa. Clarice will be buried in the family plot with her great grandparents, grandparents and parents.

Clarice was born September 27, 1937, to Harvey and Wilma (Schaub) Braun in the farmhouse on the farm her parents rented. Her first two years of life were spent in this farmhouse until her parents moved. Ironically, in 1968, the Bartz family purchased the farm where Clarice was born, and she lived in that same farmhouse until entering Good Samaritan Society during the last few months of her life.

Clarice was baptized October 23, 1937, and confirmed May 13, 1951, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, Iowa. Emmanuel Lutheran Church was always an important part of Clarice's life. She was a very faithful, active and committed lifelong member of her church. She served from the heart in various positions, including being parish secretary for 12 years.

When the day arrived for Clarice to start school, she walked one-half mile from her home attending Kensett No. 6 Country School until it was time for high school. Clarice graduated from Grafton High School in 1955, a class of 19.

Being a farmer's daughter and a farmer's wife, much of her life was spent laboriously working the trenches in the fields, along with raising thousands of broiler chickens to be butchered and sold every summer. Back then, people came from miles around to purchase her famous broilers, all prepared for the frying pan, for only $1.25 each. Her other top priority was raising her children. With whatever free time she could find, Clarice honed her skills in various ways gardening, canning, crocheting afghans, playing bridge and 500 cards, church quilting, serving as Treasurer for Emmanuel Lutheran Church Foundation/Endowment Boards along with Worth County Cancer Society and Thrivent Boards, volunteering for various organizations, of which her favorite was KCMR. Clarice always made time to entertain her friends and family, which brought her immense happiness, and provided her with a sense of fulfillment and contentment. Throughout her life, Clarice touched the lives of countless individuals with her warmth and generosity.

Family was Clarice's true treasure. Her greatest joy was spending time with her beloved family. Her kind and loving disposition will be greatly missed. While physically separated from us, her spirit will live on through our cherished memories.

Clarice is survived and lovingly remembered by her children: Susan, and her husband William and Merlin, and his wife Lisa; grandchildren: Nicole (Josh) Clausen, Helga Dammen, Stephanie (Matt) Morrell, Will (Brittany) Bartz, and Marena (Cody) Henkle; great grandchildren: Lily and Gunner Clausen, Eponine, Desmond and Luther Bartz, and Flint, Beatrix and Cillian Henkle along with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Albert and Doris Ralph.

Clarice's parents predeceased her, as did her brother, Shervin Braun.

Clarice will forever be in our hearts and in our prayers. As a follower of Jesus Christ, she is now rejoicing in heaven. Death brings separation, but if we believe in Christ, we are not separated forever, and we know one day we will meet again.

Our family would like to thank all of you for being a part of Mother's life and for supporting us during this sad time. A special thank you goes out to Good Samaritan Society staff, MercyOne Cancer staff, along with Dr. Brandon Plante and Dr. Paul Stewart for their superb care and concern seeing Mother through this arduous journey.

If you so desire, memorials may be directed to KCMR, Kensett Cemetery or Emmanuel Lutheran Church Women.

Bride Colonial Chapel. 110 East Spring Street, Manly, IA 50456. 641-454-2242. ColonialChapels.comClarice