Clara Jans was born to Edward and Annie (Akkerman) Boomgaarden on Dec. 15, 1915, in Liberty Township of Lyon County, Iowa, where she was raised and attended country school in District 2.
When she was 10 years old, she moved with her family to a farm northwest of Pipestone, Minn., where she attended country school in District 68 through the eighth grade. Upon completion of her education, she helped on the family farm.
On May 19, 1934, she was united in marriage to Raymond Jans in Brookings, S.D.
Following their marriage, they resided with Ray’s parents on their farm near Brookings.
In 1950, they moved to Hopkins, Minn., where she was employed by the Hopkins school district.
Then, in 1964, they moved to International Falls, Minn., where she was an Avon dealer for five years. She retired in 1997.
Ray preceded Clara in death on April 12, 1997.
Following his death, she remained in International Falls until Sept. 1, 1999, when she moved into Ridgeview Estates in Pipestone to be near her brother and sister. She then moved to the Good Samaritan Village of Pipestone in 2014.
Clara died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Village on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018, at the age of 102 years, one month, and 26 days.
Clara was a member of Zion Evangelical Church in Pipestone where she was baptized April 2, 1939.
She enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping and traveling.
She especially loved helping others.
She is lovingly remembered by her sister, Bernece and her husband, Bernard Demuth of Pipestone; her sister-in-law, Marilyn Boomgaarden of Dickinson, N.D.; and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; four infant children; three brothers, Jake, Ed and Irvin; and two sisters, Mabel Lieser and Edith Merha.
A funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Hartquist Funeral Home Chapel, Pipestone.
Interment is at Old Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone.
Hartquist Funeral Home, Pipestone, was in charge of arrangements.
