Obituary of Clara B. Vance

Clara Vance, age 62 of rural Homestead, Iowa passed away Thursday, November 9, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the St. Mary’s Auditorium in Oxford, with burial to follow at the Oxford Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10am until service time on Saturday at the auditorium (casual attire is encouraged).  In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Clara’s memory. 

Clara Beth Snyder was born May 25, 1961, in Iowa City, the daughter of Verton and Glendora Snyder. Following graduation from high school, already a young mother Clara was united in marriage to James L. Vance on August 7, 1979.  She and Jim built a family welcoming three more children. In addition to caring for and loving her kids, husband, and many critters throughout the years. She also enjoyed working at the former Handi Mart, later Casey’s in Amana for over 30 years.  She was a woman that enjoyed finding treasures anything from jewelry to “free” casino gifts, and anything that caught her fancy, frequently ready to go “junking” at any given moment. She often baked cakes and treats for her family and neighbors, but nothing could beat her meatloaf.  Clara enjoyed games with family, always able to enjoy a rowdy game of Scrabble or Yahtzee, but also enjoyed her scratch tickets when she ran to the gas station. She could be ornery, and enjoyed a good joke, her smile lit up the room, it was one of the best.

Her family includes her husband, Jim; their children, Jacob Vance (Ashley Kellenberger), Christy Vance, Jimmy Vance (Kate) and Johnathan Vance (Amy Hunzinger); grandchildren, Brandon, Gabby, Axel, Caryssa, Mychael, Mycala and Loretta; great-granddaughter, Emberlynn Brother Wilbert “Butch” Snyder, several nieces and nephews and her beloved dog, Pugsley.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Janette Rowland and Emily Staley.