Obituary of Wilma Clauson

A funeral service for Wilma Clauson, age 85, of Spirit Lake, will be held at 1:30 pm, Friday, January 4, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Interment will be at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Visitation will begin at 6 pm, Thursday, January 3, 2019, with the family present from 6-8 pm, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake Wilma Helene Clauson, the daughter of Ed and Marie (Wichhart) Keuning was born November 23, 1933 in Pella, Iowa. She attended country school through the 8th grade, gradated from Pella High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Central College in 1956. She taught music in Gilman for one year. On June 14, 1957, Wilma was married to Donald Clauson in Pella, Iowa. They moved to Montezuma, Iowa and started a family. In 1962, they moved in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Along with raising her family, Wilma was involved with activities at First Presbyterian Church including United Presbyterian Women, serving as President for a term, and Pioneer Fellowship. She was the church organist and accompanist for thirty years and co-founded and directed the church hand bell choir. Wilma taught hundreds of students in her nearly forty year career as a piano teacher and member of the Iowa Music Teachers Association. She also shared her gifts as organist for St. Mary's Church for over a decade. Wilma's life exemplified gentleness and quiet determination. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was dedicated to using her gifts and abilities in service to God and others, particularly through music and education. Though Wilma faced many health challenges in later years, she loved traveling, spending time with her family and all things musical. Wilma passed away December 31, 2018 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, Iowa at eighty-five years of age. Her family was blessed by her life and is confident that she is now rejoicing with her Savior in heaven. She is survived by her loving husband, Donald Clauson of Spirit Lake, IA; children, David (Licia) Clauson of O'Fallon, MO, Judith (Lance) Vogel of Johnston, Iowa and Kathleen (Kurt) Nuehring of Woodbury, MN; grandchildren, Claire and Christine Clauson, Nicholas Vogel, Emily and Abigail Nuehring; sister, Tonetta Keuning of Ann Arbor, MI; brother, Edward (Carol) Keuning of Pella, Iowa and their family. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, aunts, uncles and many cousins.