White, Clara A.

Clara A. White, 71, of Worthington, died Thursday, June 20, 2013, at her home surrounded by family. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a vigil service will be held at 5 p.m. Friends may continue to call from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Catholic Church, Worthington, with inurnment in the church cemetery. The Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate.

Clara was born Oct. 5, 1941, at home in Manchester, Iowa, the daughter of Vince and Mary (Pins) Goedken. She married Merlin White on June 2, 1962 in Monticello, Iowa. She was a devoted wife, mom, sister and nana, who always put her family first. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family and grandkids, quilting, cooking and making jam.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Merlin; four children, Chris (Glenn) Peters of Worthington, Doug White of Lisbon, Cindy White-Botello of Worthington and Angie (Thomas) Martinez of North Aurora, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Jaykob, Jessica and Joshua Peters, Matthew and David HermsenWhite, Clare Botello and Elidia, Sophia and Lucia Martinez; siblings, Mary (Patrick) Kearney, Steve (Debbie) Goedken and Judy (Rick) Kerby; and in-laws, Linda Goedken, David Lovett, Marge (Dan) Cash, Suzanne (Bob) Armstrong and Wayne (Sue) White.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Randy in 1997; brothers, J.J., Loras, Ernest, Carl, Dennis and Tom Goedken; a sister, Janet Lovett; and a sister-in-law, Jan Goedken.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kamath of Mayo Clinic for giving us the gift of the last 14 years with Nana, and the Hospice of Dubuque for a peaceful ending.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Published in The Gazette June 22, 2013.