Macil Marie Claus 1920 - 2014

CLAUS, COX, HALL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/22/2014 at 10:01:51

Sioux City Journal
8 October 2014

SMITHLAND, Iowa | Macil Marie Claus, 93, of Smithland passed away peacefully and with family at her side, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, at her home.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at German City Church (St. Johns Evangelical) in rural Hornick, Iowa, with the Rev. Paul Mahaffie officiating. Burial will be in Little Sioux Township Cemetery, Smithland. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Root Funeral Home–Willman Chapel in Rodney, Iowa. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rootfuneralhomes.com.

Macil was born on Dec. 20, 1920, in rural Smithland, the daughter of Charles and Bethene (Cox) Hall. She attended Smithland School and graduated in 1938. She went on to attend NBT School in Sioux City.

On Jan. 2, 1943, she married Clemence Claus in Tacoma, Wash., where Clem was stationed with the U.S. Army during World War II. While in Tacoma, Macil worked in the U.S. shipyards. When Clem came home from overseas and was discharged, they moved to the family farm in rural Smithland. Macil was a stay-at-home mom all the years on the farm. Clem and Macil retired from farming in 1983, and moved into Smithland.

She was a hard worker, and always stayed busy taking care of her family, gardening, cooking, and serving others when needed. She was a 4-H leader, a 70-year member of the German City Church, a 64-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and was clerk of the Little Sioux Township for 40 years.

Macil belonged to several card clubs, and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, ceramics, and spending time with friends and family. She continued taking care of others' needs by taking the elderly to doctor appointments, visitations, etc. She was always the go-to person when help was needed.

She is survived by daughter, Sheryl and husband, Chuck Oddo of Valley, Neb.; son, Kent and wife, Diane Claus of Smithland; grandchildren, Brian and Anita Oddo, Sharmel and Mark Miller, Jason and Kelly Claus, and Jill and Adam Vander Schaaf; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clem; an infant daughter; her parents; and a brother, Donald.

Pallbearers will be Jason Claus, Adam Vander Schaaf, Brian Oddo, Mark Miller, Tyler Oddo, and Brandon Oddo.

Mom was always a source of strength and leadership and never complained. She maintained her great sense of humor and wit to the very end. She will be greatly missed.