Clara Ona Westercamp
Clara Ona Westercamp
Clara Ona Westercamp
March 25, 1922 – July 3, 2017
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 95
Clara Westercamp, 95, of Oskaloosa passed away Monday evening, July 3, 2017, at the Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab Center in Oskaloosa. Clara Ona Westercamp, daughter of Earl Russell and Leora May (Martin) Ling, was born, March 25, 1922, at the rural home of her parents in Poweshiek County, Iowa.
Clara attended Barnes City School through the 11th grade, but attended Cosgrove School for her senior year, graduating in 1939.
Clara married Gerard Westercamp, November 29, 1940, in Bedford, Kentucky. They made their home on a farm five miles north of Oskaloosa, a place they lived their entire married life.
Clara stayed busy helping her husband with the many farm chores in addition to caring for her home and three children. When her children were older, Clara began waitressing in Oskaloosa, she worked at several restaurants including, Nichols Café, Red Star Café, Boston’s Coffee House and The Checkerboard. She later worked at Willimsen Shoe Store, Shoeland and lastly at Stuart’s Shoe Store. She retired in the late 1960s.
In their later years, Clara and Gerard enjoyed traveling and camping in Arizona and Texas. Gerard passed away November 7, 2008 after nearly 69 years of marriage. Clara was a member of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa.
Her family includes her children and their spouses: Faye (& Wendell) Knowler of New Sharon, Roger (& Darlene) Westercamp of Oskaloosa, and Howard (& Marjorie) Westercamp of Oskaloosa; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Clara was preceded in death by a sister, Thelma McMains; and two brothers, Walter and Russell Ling.
Funeral services for Clara will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 8, at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Pastor Brad Westercamp officiating.
A family prayer service will precede the service at 10:15 a.m. in the church’s Fireside Room.
Burial will be in Beacon Cemetery.
Visitation will begin after 1 p.m., Friday, at the Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m., Friday evening.
Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church.
