Clair Fenner, 85, of Grinnell, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Mar, 3, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Rev. John Epperson officiating. Interment was in Woodland Cemetery in Lynnville. Memorials may be designated to Lynnville Wagaman Mill Museum and St. Francis Manor Foundation, mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Clair Eugene Fenner was born the son of Everett and Vada (Burnham) Fenner on Feb. 20, 1936, in Lynnville. He was raised on the family farm north of Lynnville, and he graduated from Lynnville High School in 1954.
Clair was united in marriage to Doris Ratcliff on Mar. 19, 1955, at Lynnville Friends Church. They resided and farmed northeast of Grinnell until the 1980s and then moved to Grinnell. The couple was blessed with four children: Alan, Julie, Charla, and James. He sold Astro buildings and then worked at Grinnell Elevator for several years. He later worked at Arnold Motor Supply in Grinnell until his health declined.
Clair’s family was his greatest blessing. He enjoyed the many family trips together and was proud to have taken all of his children and grandchildren to Canada on fishing vacations. He traveled to nearly all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. His enjoyments included fishing, visiting with friends and family, being a youth group leader at the Sheridan United Methodist Church, attending his grandchildren's activities, and reading maps. He will be remembered for the strong love of his family, for being humble and kind, for his farmer wave, and for having a great smile.
Clair is survived by his children, Alan (Sheri) Fenner of Grinnell, Julie (Brady) Meldrem of Ottumwa, Charla Fenner of Ottumwa, and James Fenner of Ottumwa; six grandchildren, Tasha (Jeff) Wiele of West Liberty, Tonya Gosselink of Grinnell, Codie Amason of Ottumwa, Cassadie (Dan) Roberts of Ottumwa, Nicholas Beebe of Springfield, MO, and Marrissa Williams of Oskaloosa; his significant other, Karel Shults of Grinnell and her children, Brenda Etter of Knoxville, Wanda Shults of Grinnell and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Trinity, Keegan, Jaze, Jessie, Daniele, Jeremy, Damon, Hunter, Bailey, Taylor, Karter, Konner, Shawn, and Amy; many great-grandchildren on both sides; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Fenner of Grinnell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Doris Fenner in 1985; his brother Charles Fenner in 2007; and Karel’s daughter Debera Shults.
