Clara P. Blessum Obituary (1919

Clara P. Nelson Belschner Blessum, 92, of Arlington, Iowa died on Tuesday morning, July 26, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Society Center at West Union, Iowa Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington, Iowa; Officiating: Rev. Paul Fohs; Visitation: from 10:00 A.M. to service time on Saturday at the church; Inurnment: at a later date at the Hawkeye Cemetery at Hawkeye, Iowa A Memorial Fund has been established in her name Online Obituary at: www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com Clara Peterine Nelson was born on April 19, 1919 in Clermont, Iowa, the daughter of Christian and Cena ( Olson) Nelson. She attended elementary and high school in Elgin, Iowa and graduated from West Union High School in West Union, Iowa in 1936. She then went to Chicago and worked on Madison St. in a donut and coffee shop where she made donuts, frosted them in eight different flavors and was a cashier in the restaurant. In the spring of 1940, she came back to Elgin and married William "Pete" Belschner who was in her confirmation class at the West Clermont Lutheran Church. Pete and Clara lived in Clermont, Iowa for 16 years. Clara was a member of West Clermont Lutheran Church and taught Sunday school. In 1955 they purchased the hardware store in Arlington, Iowa. Clara and Pete operated this store for 30 years when Pete became blind and was forced to retire. After his death, she purchased a trailer in Apache Junction, Arizona and wintered there for several years. She met Paul O. Blessum there and they married. Paul died on June 22, 1992. Clara was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington where she was also a former Sunday school teacher. In October 1, 2003 she became ill and moved into the Good Samaritan Home in West Union where she made many more new friends, sharpened up her card games and although limited to a wheelchair, enjoyed all the many activities provided for her. The Lord took her into his loving arms Tuesday morning, July 26. Clara is survived by: Daughter--Jean (Jim) Turner of Arlington, Iowa Son--Richard "Dick" (Terry) Belschner of Apopka, Florida 5 Grandchildren--Drew Turner of Omaha, Nebraska, William Belschner of Intergrove Heights, Minnesota, Sharon Kelly of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Lanese Boteilho of Concord, North Carolina, and J.R. Belschner of Indian Trail, North Carolina 8 Great Grandchildren and several Nieces, Nephews and Cousins She was preceded in death by her Parents--2 Husbands (William "Pete" Belschner and Paul O. Blessum)--3 Brothers in Infancy--7 Half- Brothers--2 Half- Sisters and 2 Sisters (Myrtle Howard of Chicago, Illinois and Selma Scherholz of Postville, Iowa).