Clara Den Hartog

Clara Ann Becher Den Hartog

Clara Ann Becher Den Hartog, 83, died Thursday, January 4, 2007 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 8, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gordon Watson officiating.  Interment will follow in the North Lawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Sunday from 3 until 6 p.m. at the Bruce-Graham Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

Clara Ann was born December 30, 1923 the daughter of Charles and Elma (Will) Wrede on the farm her great-grandfather homesteaded near Dayton, IA.  She graduated from Dayton High School in 1941 and continued her education at Tobin Business College in Fort Dodge.  She was a bookkeeper for many years at Gadbury Plumbing and Heating Company.

On October 8, 1945 Clara Ann was united in marriage to Donald W. Becher at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fort Dodge.  To this union a daughter, Ann, was born.  Donald died on August 15, 1962.  Clara Ann was later married to the Reverend George Den Hartog on November 29, 1969.

Clara Ann was very involved in numerous church activities at the First United Methodist Church.  She loved working outside in her gardens especially her rose garden.  She enjoyed collecting funny knick knack items and sharing them with others.  Clara Ann was a great cook and could make some of the best fudge.  She even pampered her neighbors dog everyday with a treat.

Those thankful for having shared in her life include her husband the Reverend George Den Hartog, one daughter Ann (Bob) Wildt of Fort Dodge and their child; Lacey Wildt of Iowa City.  Step children; Dave (Karen) Den Hartog of Fort Dodge and their children; Stephanie, Nicole, Allison, and Mitch Den Hartog, Karen Goelke of Waterloo and her children; Tina, Adam, and Jonathan.  She is also survived by two sisters; Geneve (John) Wetherbee of Marshalltown, and Shirley (Quentin) Riedesel of Lohrville.

Mrs. Den Hartog was preceded in death by her parents, first husband; Donald Becher, one sister; Glenda Hayek, two brothers; Willis Wrede in infancy, Eldon Wrede, and one step granddaughter.

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home