Phyllis Marie Clapp (1928-2020)

CLAPP, HODGSON, ARABADJIEF

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/2/2021 at 16:50:05

Mrs. Phyllis Marie Clapp, 92, formerly of DeWitt, Iowa, died late Thursday evening, November 5, 2020, at Iowa River Hospice, Marshalltown.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Westbrook Park, Lions Pavilion, in DeWitt, with a prayer service at 10:30 a.m., Pastor Ron Jones officiating.

She was born January 29, 1928, in Boston, Massachusetts, to the late Walter John and Daisy LaVonne (Hodgson) Berry and was raised in Roslindale, Massachusetts. Phyllis grew up poor, the youngest of 13 children and worked hard to achieve the American Dream. She was honest and hardworking, taking great pride in her work. Phyllis married Donald L. Clapp, Sr., November 11, 1946, in Dedham, Massachusetts and their marriage was blessed with three children. The couple resided in DeWitt where in addition to being a homemaker, they owned and operated Don's Electric for which Phyllis was the bookkeeper. Don preceded Phyllis in death in 1992. She has resided in Marshalltown since 2005.

Phyllis loved time with her family and friends, but especially children and Don, the love of her life. She enjoyed travel, walking, playing cards, bowling, cooking and volunteering for church and community projects. Phyllis was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeWitt and it's former Candlelight Fellowship. She did many volunteer activities there and also at New Hope Christian Church, Marshalltown where she was most recently a member. Phyllis was also a member of the Eastern Star, was a Lion's Lady with the DeWitt Lion's Club, and volunteered with the Blood Mobile and as a cook at Grace Lutheran Church Camp, DeWitt. In Marshalltown, she was Head Start Volunteer Grandparent. Phyllis was an avid reader and life long learner and everyone was welcome in her home regardless of race or religion. She was a wonderful baker and if you were lucky, you might receive a plate of cookies or one of her "special fruitcakes" that many looked forward to receiving. Her children as kids, often joked they were better as a "doorstop" or the "gift that keeps on giving".

Surviving are her children, Donald L. Clapp, Jr. of DeWitt, Deborah L. (Mark) Arabadjief of Plainfield, Illinois, and Dianne L. (Neal) Rinehart of Marshalltown; six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Phyllis was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, nine brothers and three sisters.

A family service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2020, at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt and will be streamed at https://www.facebook.com/schultzfuneralhomes/live. Pastor Jeff Niles will officiate and burial will follow. Memorials may be made to wilson's disease and dementia research.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt.

To send flowers to Phyllis' family, please visit our floral store.