In Memory of Clarence Etler

Clarence Etler, age 92, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at the Morningside Healthcare Community of Ida Grove, Iowa, with his family at his side.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 21, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Pastor Bill Crawford will officiate; with committal services following in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Clarence Robert Etler, 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Morningside Care Center in Ida Grove, with his family at his side.

Clarence was born on December 14, 1924 in Rock Township, Woodbury County, IA.  He was the third child and second son of Bert and Elsie (Henderson) Etler.

Clarence attended several rural schools and graduated from Cushing High School in 1943.  He intended to pursue an accounting career but the war altered those plans and he farmed with his father and wife until he retired in 1988.

On June 29, 1947 Clarence married Dawn Compton.  Their wedding took place in the Ida Grove Presbyterian Church.  The union was blessed with two children, Donald and Debra.  The couple farmed south of Cushing for several years, then made their home north of Odebolt in the spring of 1960.  After he retired they lived on the farm for several years before moving into Odebolt in 2000.  Dawn passed away in January 2004.

Clarence was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Odebolt and served as a trustee and elder.  Clarence and Dawn were active participants in their community and church.

Clarence’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were very special to him.  He was a friendly genuine guy and made friends easily and was always willing to help in any way he could.  He enjoyed coffee and conversations with long-time and newly made friends throughout his life.

He rarely raised his voice but he was among the loudest of fans cheering and supporting his children and grandchildren in their activities.  He was a big fan of the Iowa State Cyclones. The Cyclones could probably hear his comments shouted from Odebolt. 

Clarence was fortunate to enjoy a long healthy life.  He enjoyed exercising regularly, especially his walks with his friends at the Ida Grove Rec Center until the last few months.   He enjoyed many years of active retirement.

He loved his time spent at the couple’s lake home on Spirit Lake in Templar Park.  The family has and will continue to share many memories and laughter at this home.   He was a sharp card player and his children and grandchildren enjoyed playing many games with Grandpa.  Clarence was a season ticket holder at and a supporter of the Okoboji Summer Theatre for many years and loved going to the Saturday afternoon showing each weekend through their season.   After Dawn’s passing his kids and grandkids joined him there.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his two children, Donald (Alice) Etler of Spencer and Debra (Randall) Anderson of Urbandale; five grandsons, Daniel (Theresa) Etler of Shawnee Mission, KS, David (April) Etler of Gilbert, IA, Tyler (Katelin)  Anderson of Richardson, TX, John Etler of Ames, IA and Mike Etler of Spencer, IA;  four great grandchildren, Emma Dawn and Austin Stuart of Gilbert, IA and Madeline Grace and Mason Frederick of Shawnee Mission, KS and a sister, Miriam Underwood of Sioux City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dawn, his brother Donald Etler who died on Guam in WWII, and his sister and brother in law, Lois and John Orvick.

The family requests that memorials go to the Odebolt First Presbyterian Church in Clarence’s memory.