Ambroson, Clarine D. (1930-2009)

AMBROSON, PETERSON, NORSTRUD, HAUGEN, REIMANN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/6/2015 at 11:57:35

Clarine D. Ambroson
(June 7, 1930 - May 17, 2009)

Clarine D. Ambroson, 78, a lifelong resident of Leland, lived her life for her Lord, her family, and her friends. A daughter of Hiram O. and Annie R. (Norstrud) Peterson, she was born on June 7, 1930, in rural Leland. She attended rural school through the sixth grade and junior high in Leland before graduating from high school at Forest City. Next, she attended college in Cedar Falls where she earned her teaching certificate. Then, she taught at the Fisher school in rural Leland and lastly at the Leland school. All in all, she taught for a total of six years.

A blushing bride of 23, Clarine was swept off her feet by a dashing young Marine. On June 14, 1953, she married her sweetheart in the only double wedding ceremony in the history of West Prairie Church to become Mrs. Wayne Ambroson. Her sister, Marlas, married Gordon Reimann at that same ceremony. Since Clarine was the older of the two girls, she got to say her vows first.

Clarine left teaching to work at her husband’s side on the farm and in his plumbing and heating business. She became the secretary and business manager for T-W Plumbing & Heating and opened the T-W Gift Shop in Lake Mills as an additional business. They both enjoyed doing business with the Lake Mills and surrounding communities. People always enjoyed browsing in her gift shop and chatting with Clarine as she always worked to make people feel welcome and comfortable.

Wayne and Clarine had four loving children: Louaine, DeAnn, Terry, and Larry. Enjoying her role as mom, Clarine brought up her kids with the Lord’s help and lots of love. Married to Bill Karkow, Louaine has ten children and two “kids-in-law” and resides in Manchester, Iowa. DeAnn lives in Jesup, Iowa, and enjoys her cats. Married to Susan, Terry and she have four children and reside in Urbandale, Iowa. Married to Dianna, Larry and she have four children and reside in Newton, Iowa. All have stayed in close contact and have shared wonderful family relationships over the years.

Clarine loved music and shared her talents with the people of West Prairie Church where she was an active and lifelong member. The church organist for sixty years, she started at age thirteen and retired age at 73. Known for its music, the West Prairie congregation always enjoyed singing when Clarine played. She also accompanied the Ladies Choir, the Sunbeam Choir, and a multitude of soloists, including her husband Wayne. She enjoyed practicing at home and working on hymns and songs until she had them perfect. She always played one of her favorite songs, "Victory in Jesus," at a quick pace because as she said, “I just can’t play that song slowly; it just gives me goosebumps!”

Clarine always loved flowers, and she enjoyed planting, watering, and tending the flowers on their farm in rural Leland. For many years, her favorite Mother’s Day gifts from her kids were to have them go with her to pick out and purchase flowers and then to plant them in her yard for her.

A woman of great inner strength and grace, Clarine had a deep love for her Savior. Over the years, she kept up her positive and loving attitude and continued to spread her kindness to others in spite of having to battle progressively worse and frightening health problems. She handled each day with grace, love, and a deep faith in her Lord. She knew He would guide her and keep her each and every day. Even her last words, “I love you,” reflect this love and grace.

Clarine peacefully went to be with her Heavenly Father on May 17, 2009, a beautiful Sunday morning. She is preceded in death by her parents, Hiram and Annie Peterson, and two older brothers, Calmar and Herman. She is survived by her beloved husband, Wayne Ambroson, her four children, Louaine, DeAnn, Terry, and Larry; her sisters, Betty (Allen) Haugen, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Marlas Reimann, of Leland; and her brother, Allen (Jean) Peterson, of Leland; as well as by many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation will be held at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, from 4:00 to 7:00 in the evening. Funeral services will be held at West Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Leland on Thursday, May 21, 2009, at 10:30 in the morning. Clarine will be buried at West Prairie, close to her home and so many of those she loved. We will all miss her greatly as we celebrate her life both here on earth and in eternity.

Copyright © 2009, Mittelstadt Funeral Home

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