Clara Belle Schlabaugh

August 26, 1930 – July 3, 2009
Clara Belle Schlabaugh, 78, of rural Washington, Iowa, died in her home Friday, July 3, 2009, following a courageous battle with cancer.
A celebration of life service was held Tuesday, July 7, 2009, in East Union Mennonite Church, rural Kalona, Iowa, with Pastor Jay Miiller officiating. Burial was in East Union Mennonite Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Iowa Mennonite School or Hospice of Washington County. Condolences may be sent to www.peterseimfuneralhome.com.
Mrs. Schlabaugh’s family deeply appreciates all the many acts of kindness shown during her illness and death, with special thanks to Deb, Jayme, Elizabeth, Tom, Shawn, and Paul of Hospice of Washington County.
Clara Belle Bontrager was born August 26, 1930, in Frytown, Iowa, the daughter of Chris and Viola (Hershberger) Bontrager. She was a graduate of Kalona High School. She was united in marriage to Omar “Pete” Schlabaugh September 2, 1949, in East Union Mennonite Church. She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Schlabaugh is survived by her husband, Omar “Pete” Schlabaugh, Washington; five children, Dian (Mick) Martin, Farmington, Iowa; Sandra Schlabaugh, Wellman, Iowa; Jeanne (DeVon) Stauffer, Beaver Crossing, Nebraska; Dawn (Ezra) Schrock, Wellman; and Michael Schlabaugh, Iowa City, Iowa; 11 grandchildren, Jesica Martin, Eric Martin, Travis Graber, Katie Humston, Clay Stauffer, Domonic Stauffer, Megan Schrock, Kelsey Schrock, Grant Schlabaugh, Kaitlyn Schlabaugh, and Darien Schlabaugh; three great-grandchildren, Jackson Schlabaugh, Colt Graber, and Deziree Stauffer; a brother, Marlyn (Gladene) Bontrager, Hesston, Kansas; and two sisters, Helen Miller, Hesston; and Marjorie Friesen, Newton, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and three sisters, Bette Messenger, Carolyn Bontrager, and Velma Yoder.