WILKIN, Clara Emma Martha 1909-2004

WILKIN, WILLERT, SCHMOLKE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/22/2009 at 21:15:09

Clara Emma Martha Wilkin

ROCKFORD, IOWA — Clara Emma Martha Wilkin, 95, of Coralville and formerly of Rockford, died Saturday (Dec. 11, 2004) at Lantern Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford with Pastor Patricia Shaw officiating. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Saturday at the church.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Zion Lutheran Church of Rockford.

Fullerton Funeral Home of Rockford and Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City are in charge of arrangements.

Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family through the www.fullertonfh.com Web site.

Clara was born Sept. 3, 1909, the daughter of Martha (Schmolke) Willert and Emil August Willert of Oster Township, east of Rockford.

Clara attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she received her teaching certificate. She taught country school in Floyd and Cerro Gordo counties.

On Nov. 2, 1940, she was united in marriage to Everett Malcolm Wilkin.

Clara was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. Her love of teaching continued as she taught Sunday school and confirmation classes and served as superintendent of Sunday school for many years.

She held numerous offices in church organizations, especially Zion Lutheran Church Afternoon Guild, in which she served as president, secretary and treasurer, rotating among those offices for many years. She also served as church custodian.

Clara will also be remembered for the care she provided to many children in the community. One memory that has meant so much to her throughout the years was the youth of the church painting her home.

In 1980, she moved to Coralville to live with her daughter, Connie, and son- in-law, Richard. During this time, she was blessed with two grandchildren, Sara and Eric, for whom she provided loving care.

Her hobbies included reading, cooking, gardening, music, quilting, watching basketball games and visiting with friends.

Many community members have enjoyed eating the noodles she made and/or the quilts she made.

Those grateful for having had the privilege of sharing Clara's life are her daughter, Connie Bingham and her husband, Richard; her grandchildren, Sara and Eric; her grandson-in-law, Nick Shepherd; her nieces, Joan Moody, Janet (Don) Arndt, Jeane (Arnold) Flessner, and other relatives and friends left to cherish her memory.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Everett; her parents; her brother, Earl Willert; and three half-daughters, Ambrosia, Winifred and Yolande.

The family wishes to thank the compassionate staff of Lantern Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Iowa City Hospice.

Clara will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 423-8676.

[Globe Gazette 12-16-2004]