Clarice Jean Brennan
BRENNAN, THOMAS, RUHLAND, SEHR
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/8/2021 at 11:26:00
Clarice Jean Brennan, 84, of Iowa City, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2020 at The Birdhouse-Hospice Home of Johnson County with her dear friend, Irene Ruhland by her side.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Lensing’s Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Road, Coralville, Iowa, where visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. Burial will be held at 2:30 pm at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Birdhouse-Hospice Home of Johnson County, 8 Lime Kiln Ln NE, Iowa City, IA 52240, or St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4330 St Patrick’s Drive, Iowa City, IA 52240.
Clarice Jean Brennan was born September 7, 1936 in Des Moines, Iowa to Charles and Margaret Irene (Thomas) Brennan of Iowa City. They divorced and placed Clarice in Glenwood State School at the age of seven. Glenwood had her helping make rag rugs, so she was not allowed to go to their school. Clarice came to the Johnson County Home in Chatham Oaks at the age of 23 and lived there until she was 42 years old. It was there she met Irene Ruhland who was her counselor at Systems Unlimited.
In 1979, she began working for the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in the Dietary Department. She loved her job and her co-workers, and almost never missed a day of work. She loved the doctors, nurses, and supervisors who were so kind to her. She won an award from UIHC for Excellent Work and nearly perfect attendance for over 25 years. She retired from UIHC in 2009 after 30 years of dedicated service. Because of her job, Clarice was able to have her own home and prided herself on how clean and neat she kept it. She loved being independent.
On Thanksgiving night in 1983, Colleen Sehr saw Clarice on the news while watching TV. Clarice told how she had no relatives, and her friends could not afford to have her for Thanksgiving. Colleen was at her brother, Don Sehr’s home and asked if she could invite Clarice for Christmas. It was then she became a member of the Sehr family. She told everyone God helped her find Irene Ruhland and Colleen Sehr. They took her on 14 special vacations through Canada, Nova Scotia, and all the Northeast, Central and Southern States. During one of their two trips to Washington DC, Senator Harkin presented Clarice with a flag which had flown over the U.S. Capital on her birthday on September 7, 2000.
Clarice was awarded the Johnson County Handicap Worker of the year in 1981 and for the State of Iowa in 1983. She was a dedicated member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and God’s Helping Hands. She enjoyed getting cards from friends who loved her dearly but especially from Nola.
She prayed for everyone who had a problem and was the happiest when helping others. If you knew Clarice, you knew how special holidays were to her. She had a headband/hat for each holiday, which she wore with her huge friendly smile and sparkle in her eyes, both of which she will be remembered for. She made so many people happy. Clarice was, indeed, God’s Little Angel and will be missed by many.
Clarice is survived by the many, many friends that loved her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents and dear friend, Colleen Sehr.
Clarice’s loved ones wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Birdhouse for the loving care and compassion they provided to Clarice.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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