Clair John “Sonny” Seuntjens 1930-2012
SEUNTJENS ORTNER, SEXTON
Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/4/2012 at 22:06:52
Mapleton Press
29 August 2012Clair John “Sonny” Seuntjens died Aug. 18 in Mapleton at the age of 81 years, 10 months, 9 days. He was born Oct. 9, 1930, in rural Danbury, the son of Siebert and Clara (Ortner) Seuntjens.
He grew up in the area and graduated from St. Patrick’s Academy in Danbury with the class of 1948. He served his country in the U.S. Army in Korea as a member of the 538th Ordnance MAM.
On Feb. 6, 1954, Clair was united in marriage to Madelon “Tootie” Sexton at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Danbury. They made their home and raised their children in rural Danbury.
Along with raising his crops, C.J. enjoyed success as a cattleman and hog producer. He was an ambitious and determined man, took pride in his work, and was known for his organization and attention to detail. For many years, Clair entered the Danbury Corn Days corn picking contest and was never beaten. In 1994, Clair retired and moved to Danbury but continued to help his sons and neighbors farm.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 of Danbury where he actively participated. Over the years, Clair and Tootie faithfully attended the reunions of his military ordnance at locations from Washington D.C. to Las Vegas, having hosted two of the reunions. He was a member of the Crawford County Cattlemen and the Willow Vale Golf Course in Mapleton.
Clair and Tootie enjoyed wintering in Palm Desert, California for more than 20 years. While there, Clair had the satisfaction of a “hole in one” while golfing with his family and friends. An avid sportsman, Clair especially enjoyed the Iowa Hawkeyes. He attended the 1982 Rose Bowl game when Iowa played Washington, went to the Indianapolis 500, and the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
A highlight in his life was when at the age of 60, Clair joined his son-in-law on a tandem bicycle and rode the entire journey across Iowa on RAGBRAI, an event he remembered with a few stories as well. One could easily say that Clair worked hard and played hard.
Those family members left to cherish their memories of Clair are his wife of 58 years, Tootie; three daughters and their husbands, Liz and Tom Vermeersch of Springfield, Ill., Heidi and Ron Reed of Norwalk, and Jill and Gary Sailer of Overland Park, Kan.; three sons and their wives, Kurt “Fudd” and Cindy Seuntjens of Danbury, Carey “Pete” and Jenny Seuntjens of Dunlap, and Nathan “Barney” and Jen Seuntjens of Denison; a son-in-law, Grant Kruse and his wife, Cindy, of West Des Moines; 22 grandchildren, Beth Cornelison, Heather Kruse, Mark and Matt Vermeersch, Erin Forch, Angela Dunn, Amy Hamman, Aaron Bechen, Andy Seuntjens, Nicki Castellano, Mallory Metzger, Makenzie Reed, Jack, Mitchell and Gretta Sailer, Lexi, Madison, Michael, and Anna Seuntjens, and Alyssa, Caleb, and Carson Seuntjens; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rita Dirksen of Danbury and Helen Kelley and her husband, Gary, of Sioux City; two brothers, Ronald Seuntjens and his wife, Marilyn, of Mapleton and Cleo Seuntjens of Omaha, Neb.; and many nieces and nephews.
Clair was preceded in death by his parents, Siebert and Clara Seuntjens; a daughter, Susan Kruse; one brother, Rev. LeRoy Seuntjens; one sister-in-law, Lois Seuntjens; and two brothers-in-law, Ray Venteicher and Joe Dirksen.
Funeral Mass was Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Danbury with Rev. Dan Greving and Deacon Ray Rosburg officiating. Message in Music was by Julie Hamann, Accompanist and Cantor, and included “Precious Lord Take My Hand,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” ”I Am the Bread of Life” – Angela Dunn, “On Eagles Wings” – Mark Vermeersch, and “How Great Thou Art.”
Pallbearers were Brian Seuntjens, Jay Sexton, Stan Seuntjens, Dave Bruning, Leon Venteicher, Damon Schrunk. Honorary Pallbearers were Skip Sexton, Loren Lee, Gary “Enier” Seuntjens, Dewey Lee, Ray Friedrichsen, Dick Dudding, Pat Kelly. Lector was Kurt Seuntjens. Mass Servers were Alyssa Seuntjens, Madison Seuntjens, Andy Seuntjens - Cross Bearer.
Offertory Procession included Rita Dirksen, Helen Kelly, Cleo Seuntjens, Ronald Seuntjens. Eucharistic Ministers were Cindy Seuntjens and Sharyl Bruning.
Visitation was Tuesday, Aug. 21, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Danbury with Vigil Wake Service at 7 p.m. followed by the Knights of Columbus Rosary. Lector was Jill Sailer. Visitation was also on Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. until Mass.
Military Honors & Interment were by American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 at Danbury Catholic Cemetery. Armstrong Funeral Service
was in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Clair’s name.
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen