Obituary of Clarence - - - Leydens

Clarence Leydens, 86, formerly of Newton, and was of the Des Moines area, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday morning, February 29, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center. Funeral services for Clarence will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012, at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A visitation with the family will be held at the funeral home, one hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers memorials are being designated in Clarence's name to the Jewish Life Center in Des Moines. Burial will be at the Newton Union Cemetery. Clarence, the son of Conrad and Elizabeth (DeJong) Leydens, was born April 7, 1925, near Otley, Iowa. He attended the Newton Senior High, and later attended University of Iowa in Iowa City, for two years. He would serve his country with the US Army, during World War II. On April 24, 1953, Clarence was united in marriage with Vera Mae Brown in Newton. Over the years, he was employed by the Newton Daily News and Des Moines Register and Tribune. He devoted his life to his family, and enjoyed the outdoors. Clarence was a past member of the Newton Assembly of God. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Vera on Aug. 6, 1997; a son Stephen Lee Leydens on March 18, 1991; and a brother Richard; and a sister Lillan. Those left to honor Clarence's memory include his daughter Terrie (Ron) Everly of Des Moines; his son Mark (Deb) Leydens of New Virginia; four grandchildren: Alyssa, Aaron, Jason and Ashley; his five great-grandchildren; his brothers: Nick of Pella, Matt of West Des Moines, Frank and John, both of Colorado; his sisters: Ruth Hulse and Nellie Riley, both of Arizona; and his many friends.