Clayton James Nieman, 1923-2008

NIEMAN, HRONEK, ALLEN, ANDERSON, GEVING, MAHARRY

Posted By: Sharon K Hesebeck (email)
Date: 4/19/2013 at 18:19:53

Clayton James Nieman
Born: July 13, 1923
Died: March 17, 2008
Age: 84

SERVICES
Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer

INTERMENT
North Lawn Memorial Park at a later date.

Clayton Nieman passed away on March 17, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He was born on Friday, July 13th, 1923, to George and Charlotte (Hronek) Nieman in Pocahontas, Iowa. Clayton moved to Spencer with his family in 1939. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1942.

After graduation, Clayton worked as an aircraft mechanic for Hunters flying Service in Spencer until he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. in 1944. After extensive schooling he became a flight engineer on B-24 and B-29 aircraft.

While stationed in Pueblo, Co, he met and married Jean Allen. They were married on base by Fr. Grannon who at the time said the marriage wouldn't last because of Jeans young age (the Niemans celebrated their 62nd anniversary last May!)

Upon their return to Spencer after the war, Clayton joined his father as the Standard Oil bulk agent. Later he joined Peoples Natural Gas as a service technician where he remained for 7 years until he opened his own sewing machine sales and service center to compliment Jeans fabric business.

Clayton also served as a volunteer fireman at the Spencer Fire Department for many years. Clayton and Jean combined their businesses when they opened Niemans Sewing Center which they operated together until their retirement.

Since retirement, Clayton and Jean traveled extensively in their RV until landing in Mesa AZ where they have owned a winter home for the past 15 years. Summers were spent visiting family and friends and enjoying life.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, George and Charlotte, his brother George Jr., and nephew Bruce Nieman, grandson Greg Nieman and granddaughter Keshia Anderson.

He is survived by his wife Jean, daughters Jane (Jim) Geving, Madison, WI, Jennifer (Greg) Maharry, Webster City, Joni (Brent) Culver, Cedar Rapids, sons Jim, Fairmont MN, Mark, LeMars, Joe (Sharon) LeMars, 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

The attending doctor at Claytons birth told the new parents that being born on Friday the 13th was lucky and that Clayton would be a wealthy man someday. While not wealthy in a monetary sense, Clayton had a very rich life surrounded by loving family, great friends and his beautiful gardens. Those that have had the good fortune to know Clayton will find it difficult to meet anyone that was more genuine, good natured and honorable. He was truly a person that made the world a better place.

Warner Funeral Home of Spencer, IA

Interment in North Lawn Memorial cemetery
 

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