Clare Stephen Mahoney

Clare S. Mahoney, 84, of Oelwein, Iowa, died Saturday morning, November 15, 2014, at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank. Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein. Parish Scripture Service: 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment: Greenwood Cemetery, Rural Westgate, Iowa Memorial Fund: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Cedar Valley Hospice.

Clare Stephen Mahoney was born on June 19, 1930 in Stanley, Iowa, the son of Carl A. and Lydia Ada (Lala) Mahoney. He attended Stanley High School where he was active in school activities including band, choir, mixed quartet and the school newspaper. He was the number one drummer in the Iowa State Music Contest his senior year. Clare graduated in the Class of 1948. Clare enrolled at Upper Iowa University and graduated in the Class of 1952 with a degree in Social Studies and Elementary Education. His first teaching experience was at Stanley High School where he taught American Government and English in 1953 and 1954. In 1954 Clare met Roberta Eileen Kane in a circle two step at the Oelwein Coliseum. It was love at first sight for the couple. Roberta was teaching in Omaha, Nebraska at the time and was in the Oelwein area to visit her family. Clare and Roberta were engaged in 1954 and were married on June 13, 1955 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank, Iowa. The couple made their home in Omaha for 12 years where Clare obtained a teaching position. During this period of time they both attended Colorado State College where, after four summers, both Clare and Roberta obtained their Masters Degrees. Clare then received the position of elementary principal in Gothenburg, Nebraska. Roberta became a kindergarten teacher there where she excelled as a teacher of young children. After two years in Gothenburg, they were both invited to move back to Omaha as principals for the Omaha Western School District #66. During their time back in Omaha, Clare was elected state president of the Nebraska Principals Association. As state president and a principal, both Clare and Roberta attended the National Principals Association meeting in Washington D.C. where they had an informal meeting and interview with school officials of the Fairfax Virginia Schools. To their surprise, shortly after they returned, two principal contracts were mailed to them inviting them to join the Fairfax School System.
During the next 20 years, Clare and Roberta participated in many school and political functions. They attended formal dinners and dances at many embassies and also attended six inaugural balls in Washington D.C. Clare and Roberta also enjoyed their time visiting historical sites like Williamsburg, Virginia and also weekend trips to the beach for sun bathing.

Clare had a great love of automobiles. At one point his collection included his father’s 1922 Model T and his 1929 Model A. Clare was a very loyal Ford and Lincoln fan. He enjoyed dancing to the big band music of Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Lawrence Welk, Tiny Hill, Russ Morgan and his son, Jack, and his orchestra and to Clyde McCoy and his orchestra. Clare also enjoyed traveling to various parts of the United States and all kinds of wildlife. He loved feeding the squirrels and rabbits and spending time with his three Pomeranian dogs, especially Shawna. Clare also had a great love for his country, always stressing freedom, not socialism.

Clare was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Roberta on August 24, 2013, brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Larry (Barb) Kane and his sister-in-law: Tina Kane.

Clare was a loving husband and father, he will be greatly missed.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 11 2024, 17:48:20 UTC