Obituary for Clinton Arends
Clinton Charles Arends, 94, of Stanhope, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center at 1:00 PM on Thursday, May 4th. Services will be held at 2:00 PM in the Foster Chapel with nephew, Rev. Scott Hibben, officiating—gravesite burial to follow.
Clinton was born on March 23, 1929, in Webster City, Iowa, to Arthur O. and Verna Mae (Read) Arends. He was a lifelong Stanhope resident who graduated from Stanhope High School in 1947. He attended Iowa State University, where he studied agriculture. On September 10, 1950, he married the love of his life, Lila Jean McLaughlin. They spent 60 beautiful years together before her passing in 2010. Towards the end of her life, he painstakingly took care of her, never leaving her side. He was also a Veteran, having served in the US Army in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Peggy Arends, Steve and Bobbie Arends, and his daughter, Kathy Arends. His six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, sister Cleo Dell Henderson and sisters-in-law Faye Arends and Martha Ann Arends, also survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lila, and brothers, Rodger and Rodney Arends.
Clinton was a member of the Grace Church/Stanhope Parish – having sung in the choir for most of his life. He was a former Masonic Lodge of Webster City member and a former board member of the Stanhope Elevator, Stanhope Telephone Coop, and his church.
Clinton was a crop and livestock farmer for most of his life and often mentored young, up-and-coming farmers. After “retiring,” he raised ostriches for over ten years, much to the delight of his grandchildren and those passing by on Highway 17. He believed in this new, alternative farming and was often asked by elementary schools, universities, and numerous professional groups to share and educate them about these amazing birds (Grandma Lila would provide the chocolate chip cookies).
He was an avid coin collector throughout his life. In his later years, he developed a love for all things tech. He also loved getting together with his buddies for coffee at Sparky's Gas Station and participating in the Senior Life Solutions Group at Van Diest Medical Center. But most of all, he loved being with his family and friends.
He was a quiet, gentle man with a heart of gold. And we were so blessed to have him in our lives
Clinton was born on March 23, 1929, in Webster City, Iowa, to Arthur O. and Verna Mae (Read) Arends. He was a lifelong Stanhope resident who graduated from Stanhope High School in 1947. He attended Iowa State University, where he studied agriculture. On September 10, 1950, he married the love of his life, Lila Jean McLaughlin. They spent 60 beautiful years together before her passing in 2010. Towards the end of her life, he painstakingly took care of her, never leaving her side. He was also a Veteran, having served in the US Army in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.
He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Peggy Arends, Steve and Bobbie Arends, and his daughter, Kathy Arends. His six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, sister Cleo Dell Henderson and sisters-in-law Faye Arends and Martha Ann Arends, also survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lila, and brothers, Rodger and Rodney Arends.
Clinton was a member of the Grace Church/Stanhope Parish – having sung in the choir for most of his life. He was a former Masonic Lodge of Webster City member and a former board member of the Stanhope Elevator, Stanhope Telephone Coop, and his church.
Clinton was a crop and livestock farmer for most of his life and often mentored young, up-and-coming farmers. After “retiring,” he raised ostriches for over ten years, much to the delight of his grandchildren and those passing by on Highway 17. He believed in this new, alternative farming and was often asked by elementary schools, universities, and numerous professional groups to share and educate them about these amazing birds (Grandma Lila would provide the chocolate chip cookies).
He was an avid coin collector throughout his life. In his later years, he developed a love for all things tech. He also loved getting together with his buddies for coffee at Sparky's Gas Station and participating in the Senior Life Solutions Group at Van Diest Medical Center. But most of all, he loved being with his family and friends.
He was a quiet, gentle man with a heart of gold. And we were so blessed to have him in our lives