Clara Beth Shockey

Clara Beth Shockey was born November 13, 1924 to Richard and Harriet (Huntington) Smith in Jefferson.  She had two older sisters, Florence and Nancy. She recalled many fun memories of growing up on South Maple Street. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1942.

Clara Beth entered the Army during World War II as a WAC as was medically discharged a few years later. She was very proud to be a veteran.

She met Donald Shockey and they married July 4, 1946. They had two sons, Richard and Ronald, both born in Jefferson. In 1951 the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah.  While living in Salt Lake, she began her seamstress career.

Clara Beth and Don divorced in 1972. Clara Beth moved back to Iowa where she lived with her sister, Nancy, until moving in with son, Ron, in California in 1983.  She was highly sought out by the Public Safety Departments for her alterations. After the big earthquake in 1989, she was pleased to move back to Jefferson where she continued alterations and made doll clothes for many residents until her eyesight began to fail. She also spent many years volunteering as Pink Lady at Greene County Medical Center.

Two weeks before passing, she attended the marriage of granddaughter Kirsten to Dennis Burk at Spring Lake. Clara Beth passed away July 1 at the age of 89 and per her wishes, there was only interment at the family plot in Burt.  She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Florence and Nancy.  She is survived by son Ronald and Robin of Jefferson; by son Richard and Patricia of Ohio, grandson Peter and Amanda of California, granddaughter Kirsten and Dennis of Ankeny, great-grandchildren Carson and Maddison of California and sister-in-law Marcy and Roy Barlage of Jefferson.

Service were arranged by Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home of Jefferson, www.sliningerrossowfuneralhome.com, 515-386-2171.