Claeys, Arthur J. "Art" 1914-2002

CLAEYS, AGNES, ERICSON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/29/2007 at 18:09:27

Arthur J. "Art" Claeys, 88, of Sioux City passed away Sunday, Oct. 27, 2002, at his residence after a long and happy life.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Cathedral of the Epiphany Catholic Church, with the Very Rev. Paul-Louis Arts officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Akron, Iowa, with a luncheon at St. Patrick's Parish Hall in Akron. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., all at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Mr. Claeys was born Jan. 9, 1914, in Le Mars, Iowa, to Arthur and Josie (Agnes) Claeys. He graduated from Le Mars High School.

He married Wilma F. Ericson on June 11, 1938, in Akron, Iowa. They made their home in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was a driver for Brady Moving and Storage. In 1942, they moved to Akron, and he went to work for his father at Claeys Produce. They returned to Fort Dodge in 1954, where he worked for Brady Moving and Storage, then moved to Sioux City to open an agency in 1955. He founded Claeys Brothers Moving and Storage in 1960, and spent the next 20 years operating his family business until he retired. After retiring, he opened a restaurant with his son, Phil, and co-founded Action Moving and Storage with his son, Don.

He was considered to be a true gentleman by the many people he helped find their own potential. His generosity, sense of fairness and strong listening skills left him with the respect and love of many. He is remembered fondly by his family as possessing a tremendous sense of humor. He loved birds.

Survivors include his four sons, Don Claeys and his wife, Lisa, Phil Claeys, Tom Claeys and his wife, Karen, and Larry Claeys and Cheryl, all of Sioux City; a daughter and her husband, Patricia and Ron Wolf of Sioux City; 19 grandchildren, Shane Claeys, Shawn Claeys, Shannon Claeys, Shaya Love, Bill Claeys, Lon Claeys, Krisden Larsen, Chad Wolf, Chris Wolf, Cindy Wolf, Connie Terry, Angela Schoenrock, Kerry Crawford, Amanda Brooks, Jesse Claeys, Libby Claeys, Dustin Claeys, Brian Claeys and Matt Claeys; and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings, Agnes Mary, Al, Bob and Madeline; his wife; two sons, Bill and Jim Claeys; and three great-grandchildren.

His children and their spouses will act as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collecton; source: Sioux City Journal]