Clara Ramona Toale, 96, of Independence Iowa died Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the ABCM Rehabilitation Center’s East Campus in Independence, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Independence, Iowa with Msgr. Thomas Toale presiding. Burial will be in the St. John’s Cemetery, Independence, IA. Friends may call from 3 to 8 PM Monday, October 10, 2016 at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, IA, and from 9:30 AM till services Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at St. John’s Church. A parish wake service will be held at 2:30 PM followed with a rosary on Monday, October 10, 2016 at the funeral home.

Clara was born on March 21, 1920 in Independence, Iowa the daughter of Edward and Marie (Claeys) DePaepe. After growing up and working on the family farm, she worked at the E & H café in Independence. She later moved to Des Moines where she worked in the Munitions plant during World War II, rooming with the only sister of the man who would become her future husband.

She married Francis Toale on April 28, 1947 in Independence, Iowa. He preceded her in death on February 8, 2015 after nearly 68 years of marriage.

Clara was a lifelong homemaker on the family farm. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, served as a communion distributor, usher couple, Catholic Order of Foresters, on numerous committees, and was a member of the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of America. Community involvement included being a 4-H leader, Hospice worker, volunteer at the gift shop at People’s Memorial hospital and VFW auxiliary.

She is survived by five children Rosemary (Ron) Engelhardt of Elkader, IA, Richard (Ann) Toale of Independence, IA, Roger Toale of Arizona, Msgr. Thomas Toale of Dubuque, IA, Sue (Tom) Knapp of Des Moines. IA, and daughter in law, Marty (Don) Toale of Independence, IA, 14 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret DeBacker, along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Francis she was preceded in death by her son Don (May 23, 2016), her parents, Edward and Marie; sisters Alice Fall (Ed) and Laura Ladehoff (Henry); brother and sister in law Frank and Eileen DePaepe, and brother in law Marcel DeBacker.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Clara R. Toale Memorial Fund, % BankIowa, 230 1st Street E., Independence, IA 50644 or to Camp Courageous of Iowa.

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