Diefenderfer, Claire M.

Claire M. Diefenderfer, 82, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 13, 2010.

Claire is survived by her son, Keith (Leann) Diefenderfer; grandchildren, Chad (Mehgan) Diefenderfer, and Holly L. (Jedidiah) Cote; and her beloved great-grandpuppies, Maco and Lola.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; her parents, John and Mary Miller; and her brother, Homer Miller.

Claire Marie Miller was born to a farming family in Allentown, Pa., where she later met and married Henry A. Diefenderfer in 1953. Upon Henry's death in 1985, she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to be close to her family. In 1991, she moved again to live with her family in Cedar Rapids, until 2009 when she became a member of the Meth-Wick Community.

Claire loved the outdoors and wildlife. She was an avid bird-watcher and for many years maintained a large collection of bird feeders. Claire was a spiritual person with a love of God, music, family and friends.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at Faith Lutheran Church in Marion, by Pastor John Albertson. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion. Burial: Schoenersville Cemetery, Schoenersville, Pa.

As we celebrate your life, may there be an angel on your shoulder tickling your ear saying “God's blessings” to you.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Claire's memory may be directed to the Witwer Senior Center of Cedar Rapids, an organization that has been so helpful to her and the family.

Please sign the online guest book for Claire at under obituaries.