Clarence A. Meinecke

Clarence A. Meinecke

Sheldon, Iowa

 Services for Clarence A. Meinecke, age 89, of Sheldon who passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Faith Community Church in Sheldon with Pastor Kevin Gingerich, officiating.

 Burial will be at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

 Visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, January 23, 2024, at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

 Clarence Arthur Meinecke Jr. passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the age of 89 years at Sanford Senior Care Center in Sheldon, Iowa. He was born March 25, 1935, in Cooper, Iowa to Evelyn Wanda (Johns) and Clarence Arthur Meinecke Sr. The family farmed and Clarence grew up showing livestock and helping with all aspects of family farming. The family moved from their farm near Cooper to a farm by Paton, Iowa, when Clarence was in high school which is where he graduated from. After high school, he attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation, Clarence returned to Iowa and began his career as an electrician. He married Wilma Ilene Hoskins January 18, 1958, and they made their home in Jefferson, Iowa, which is where they raised their three children. Clarence worked for Shriver Construction as an electrician for many years. When the children were grown, Clarence took a position in Ames as an electrician and then was employed as a maintenance manager at Bethany Manor in Story City, Upon retirement, Clarence and Wilma relocated to Sheldon, Iowa where they remained. 

 Clarence spent most of his free time working in his workshop where he picked up many skills, including handcrafting 3 wooden canoes. He was always trying to figure out how to make something better and had many inventions over the years. Clarence spent much time volunteering, helping with several Habitat for Humanity builds, Heifer International mission work and many others through the United Methodist Church, of which he was a lifelong member. He was also a member of the Lions Club. Clarence was extremely proud of his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought him much joy in his later years. 

 Clarence is survived by his three children, Brent (Carol) Meinecke of Mason City, Thresa (Scott) Ruggles and Scott (Lori) Meinecke of Sheldon, his two sisters, Betty Parrish and Shirley Krech and brother Larry (Sue) Meinecke as well as his nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. 

 Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of over 65 years, his brother, Leon Meinecke and a granddaughter, Allison Meinecke.

 The family plans a Celebration of Life for all of his family to honor what would have been his 90th birthday in March.