Voortmann, Clarence (1939-2010)
VOORTMANN, ONKEN, GOSSMAN, JAHNKE
Posted By: Paul Nagy, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/23/2010 at 00:43:11
Clarence Voortmann
(September 3, 1939 - November 17, 2010)Clarence G. Voortmann, age 71, of Buffalo Center, Iowa, died Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa.
Clarence (Gus) was born in rural Buffalo Center, Iowa, on the family farm, on September 3, 1939, to his proud parents, Jerry and Martha (Onken) Voortmann. He received his education at Grant Township School #1. When his father, Jerry, became ill he took over the family farm at the age of 17 and began his life long career. Gus lived along the same mile long stretch of rural Winnebago County all his life.
On March 12, 1960, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Gossman at the Linden Lutheran Church in rural Thompson, Iowa. To this union, two children were born, David and Doug. The couple had made their home just down the road from the family farm for fifty years.
Gus’s life and passion was farming. As a steward of the land, he assumed many risks involving the planting, the watering, and the harvesting of the seeds he had sown. The rich soil allowed him to plant and harvest crops fifty-four times during his lifetime along with raising countless head of feeder cattle and hogs. In the early years, he also raised chickens, milked dairy cattle, and helped his sons with FFA cattle and hog projects.
Clarence served at the First Reformed Church as a Deacon. In addition, he served on the Co-Op Board and as the co-chair of “The Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry.” He was a member of the traveling Pork Loin Grilling Association and the Zipper Rippers Club.
Gus had the “Gift of Gab” and could be found at the BC Restaurant every morning with the guys hashing out local issues and discussing what was happening on the farm.
Those who cherish his memory include his wife, Mary Ann, of Buffalo Center, Iowa; his son, David, of Mason City, Iowa; his grandchildren, Dylan and Danica Voortmann, of Buffalo Center, Iowa, and Desi Jahnke, of Mankato, Minnesota; two great-grandchildren; his brothers: Harold Voortmann, of Missouri, Richard (Carlene) Voortmann, of Garner, Iowa, and Lynnae Voortmann, of Buffalo Center, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Clarence was preceded in death by his son, Doug; his parents; and a brother, Arnold Voortmann.
Services for Clarence will be Monday, November 22, 2010, at 10:30 AM at the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa, with Pastor Bill Peake officiating.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 21, 2010, from 2-5 PM at the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center.
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