James William Clemens

James (Jim) William Clemens, 93, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in rural Eyota, Saturday, January 6, 2024.

The Funeral mass has been rescheduled for Monday, January 15th, 11:00 a.m.. The visitation is Sunday, 5-8 p.m. and one hour

prior to the service at the Church on Monday.

Jim was born November 14, 1930 and graduated Eyota High School in 1948. He was drafted and spent 2 years in the Army from 1952 to 1954. Jim married Joyce Patzner on June 30, 1955. They were married for almost 60 years and farmed together successfully in Dover Township. Along with their sons they raised cattle, hogs, and crops. They enjoyed dancing, card clubs and visiting with friends and relatives.

Jim was active in the community and was a long time Dover-Eyota School Board and Eyota Bank Board member. He was active in his parish, Golden Grads, Rollingstone-Luxembourg Heritage Society, and was a member of the American Legion. Jim did daily crossword puzzles and his mind was still sharp. With the loss of Jim comes a loss of a lot of Eyota history. A drive with Jim was a lesson of local history and the connections between people.

He enjoyed looking up information on the computer and sharing what he had found with family. Jim enjoyed watching videos of airplanes, old time tractors, polka dancing, and concerts by Andre Rieu. On TV he enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk, Westerns, comedies and enjoyed looking at maps and reading World War II books. He also enjoyed a good melody and played piano by ear to relax on the farm. He loved Pepsi, pie and ice cream, and Joyce’s cooking.

He is survived by children, Jerome (Antoinette) Clemens of Eyota, Teresa (Russ) VanDuine of Rochester, Rose (Scott) Elliott of Inver Grove Heights, Richard (Carolyn) Clemens of Dover, and Tom Clemens of Rochester; grandchildren, William Clemens, Sandy (Josh) Bothun, Michael VanDuine and Sarah (Mike Bordyukov) VanDuine, Ben, Nick (Kelsey) and Josh (Sadie) Elliott, Crystal (Brian) Kesler and Matthew (Allison) Clemens; and 11 great grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, parents Joe and Mary (Daly) Clemens, brother Donald, infant sister, and 2 grandchildren: Jessica and Jeremey Clemens.

Funeral Mass is Saturday, January 13, 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Eyota with Fr. Shawn Haremza officiating. Burial is at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, 5-8 pm at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Schad & Zabel Funeral Home in Eyota are assisting with the arrangements.

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