Person:Clarence Tuininga (1)

Clarence grew up on the family farm near Boyden and attended Hull Christian School until 8th grade and then attended 3 years at Boyden High School. After his schooling, Clarence worked on a farm near LaMars, Iowa as a hired hand for two years until he was drafted into the army in April of 1945 at the age of 19. In November of that same year Clarence re-enlisted and served in Japan and Germany during WWII and was discharged in May of 1947. Before returning to the United States he traveled to Holland to visit relatives there.

On July 13, 1947, Clarence married his long time friend and sweetheart Frances Reinders of Orange City, Iowa. They farmed near Rock Rapids, Iowa for several years and moved on to Graettinger, Iowa in 1954, where Clarence was employed with a road construction company for the next two years. In 1956, Clarence started working at John Morrell meatpacking plant in Estherville, Iowa until it's closing in 1980 and was faced with taking early retirement from there at the age of 55. In 1983, Clarence and Frances became residents of Estherville while Clarence worked 10 years at Iowa Lakes Community College in the janitorial department and also at the Estherville Good Samaritan Center as a transportation driver. He retired in 1990, at the age of 65. Clarence and Frances picked up roots for the last time and became residents of Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001, where Frances passed away on December 10, 2004. As a young boy, in an oat field with his father,Clarence asked Jesus Christ into his life at the age of 9. He passed away and went to be with his Heavenly Father on August 29, 2011 at the age of 85 years and 11 months.Clarence was a hard worker and enjoyed using the hammer and fixing things even in his spare time. He loved music, sports, biking, walking, board games and spending time with his family.

Survivors include four children, Rose Hettinga and husband Warren of Las Vegas, NV, Heath Tuininga and wife Cyndy of Lakewood, CO, Prudence Hagan and husband Jan of Indio, CA and Constance Widboom and husband Dana of Elk River, MN, grandchildren Paul (Jeanne), Stacy (Jenn), Haley (Chris), Brandon (Shannon), Rena, Cami and Brian, Great-grandchildren Noah, Ella and Azan.

He is preceded in death by his wife Frances, parents Henry and Agnes Tuininga, brothers Benjamin Tuininga and Harry Tuininga, sisters Cora Bleyenburg and Gertude Baker and great-grandson Caleb Peterson.

1. ↑ Birth, in Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935.

   Clarence Tuininga

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Death-Burial , in Find A Grave.

   FindAGrave

3. ↑ Census, in United States. 1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T627).

   Census