Donlan, Clem 1934 - 2017

DONLAN, HENRY, SKRETTA, SCHMITZ, LORENZ, MADISON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:38

Clem Donlan, age 83, of Lime Springs passed away on Friday, September 22, 2017 at the Evan’s Memorial Home in Cresco.

Clem was born January 27, 1934 to Francis and Ellen (Henry) of Ridgeway. When Clem was 16, his father died and he took on much of the responsibility of running the family farm. As he grew older, he took on more and more of the responsibility of the farm, eventually running the farm himself. He married Dolores (Skretta) in 1962. Together, they ran the farm and raised four children. After Clem divorced, he continued to run the farm himself. Years later, Clem moved to Lime Springs, Iowa and began working for McNeilus truck manufacturing. For over 10 years, Clem delivered new cement, garbage, and recycling trucks to McNeilus customers throughout the United States. Clem enjoyed the travel and seeing almost all of the lower 48 states. With his numerous frequent flier miles, he was able to visit Alaska, Canada, and traveled to Europe several times. Clem had an appreciation for learning. He taught himself woodworking and did much of the improvement to his home in Lime Springs. He taught himself how to use computers, digital cameras, and the internet. While he needed help once in awhile, he never stopped pushing himself to learn and recently started to learn how to play the piano. When he was able, Clem would get back to his farming roots and put in an extensive garden. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was always up for going out for a ride in the car. When visiting his son in Gig Harbor, Clem enjoyed trips to Mount Rainier and the hustle and bustle of Pike Place Market.

Clem was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Marvin Donlan of Bloomington Minnesota, brother-in-law Ken Schmitz of Maryland, and daughter Carmel Donlan of Waterloo, Iowa. He is survived by his sister Elaine (Schmitz) of Odenton, Maryland, sister-in-law Jean Donlan of Bloomington, Minnesota, son Lee (Jun) Donlan of Gig Harbor, Washington, and daughters Annette (Paul) Lorenz of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Valerie Madison of Denver, Colorado, and two wonderful grandchildren Erina Donlan and John Lorenz.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

St. Bridget Cemetery
 

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