Clara Gingerich, 99, of Kalona, formerly of Iowa City, passed from this life on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona, just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. A celebration of her life will be held Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., at the First Mennonite Church in Iowa City. Burial will be held prior to the service at 10 a.m. at the South Gingerich Cemetery in Kalona. Visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, from 2 – 4 p.m. at Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for the Crowded Closet, the University of Iowa Stead Children’s Hospital and First Mennonite Church.
Clara H. (Kauffman) Gingerich was born Jan. 30, 1924, in Arthur, Illinois, the daughter of Henry J. and Mary Ann (Stutzman) Kauffman. Clara grew up in Illinois and Oklahoma. On June 8, 1948, Clara was united in marriage to George N. Gingerich at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. They spent their early years of married life in Hannibal, Missouri, while George was in volunteer service. Both were employed by Levering Hospital in Hannibal. They had six children. Clara was a stay-at-home mom until she was employed for many years at the University of Iowa Hospital, retiring in 1988. Her passion was quilting and volunteering at Crowded Closet. She was known for her apple pies, potato salad, cranberry salad and cinnamon rolls. Clara was an active member of First Mennonite Church in Iowa City, where she enjoyed many years in the women’s group. She spent many years milking cows before going to work as well as having a large garden.
Survivors include her six children: Elwin (Linda) Gingerich of Haven, Kansas, Lynn (Bonnie) Gingerich of Iowa City, Arlene (Bob) Lopez of Maynard, Massachusetts, Judi (Kevin) Thrapp of Keota, Mary Paustian of Tipton, and Cheryne (Reg) Yoder of Iowa City; 15 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great grandchildren; and one brother-in-law: Eldon Miller of Kentucky.
Preceding Clara in death were her parents; husband: George on March 21, 2003; and seven siblings: Joe (Mattie) Kauffman, Martha (John) Stutzman, Katie (Lester) Miller, Esther (A.D.) Borntrager, Jacob (Jean) Kauffman, Levi Kauffman and Harvey (Fannie) Kauffman.
