Clement "Clem" Kofron

Clement Francis Kofron, age 81, of Lime Springs, IA, died on Wednesday, October 31, at Country Winds Manor in Cresco, IA, surrounded by his family.

Clement Francis Kofron was born on October 8, 1937, in Cedar Falls, IA, son of Edward F. and Mary J. Bonn Kofron.  He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1956.  On December 22, 1962, he married Betty L. Luitjens at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cedar Falls, IA.  Together the couple moved to a farm in rural Lime Springs in March of 1964.  They added a 6,500 capacity chicken house building to the farm.  Clem worked hard at running the farm and also worked at Donaldson’s in Cresco, IA for 26 years.  Clem was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes for many years.

Clem loved everything about the outdoors.  Along with Betty, they maintained huge gardens and loved sharing the fruits of their labor from these gardens with their children and neighbors alike.  Clem could be often seen walking the road behind the farm.  He walked 2+ miles a day for many years.  Betty and Clem loved to drive out West to see all of the National Parks.  In 2004 he retired from Donaldson’s and in 2005 he took his lifelong dream trip to Alaska.  He loved to reminisce about this trip with anyone who would listen.  Clem spent the past 1.5 years at The Patty Elwood Center where he received excellent care from all of the loving nursing staff as well as the Howard County Community Hospice.  Even during this difficult part of his journey, Clem lived his life with grace and dignity.  The family is very grateful for all of this wonderful care.   

Clem is survived by his children Karen (Mark) Margotta of Oronoco, MN, Connie (Jeff) Dutton of Swisher, IA, Jean (Shane) Bolling of Denver, CO and their son Jesse, Terry (Debi) Kofron of Des Moines, IA and their children Caylee, Sam and Will, and Lisa (John) Henry of Waterloo, IA and their children Riley, Emily, Abby, and Logan, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Viola Kofron, Darlene Itzen, and Bonnie and Roger Behrens.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents Edward and Mary Kofron, brothers and sisters-in-laws Robert Kofron, Tom and Gladys Kofron, Charlie Kofron, and Philip and Cordel Kofron, sister and brother-in-law Mary Jo (Kofron) and Roger Fiscus, father and mother-in-law Lewis and Minnie Luitjens, brothers and sisters-in-law Ronnie Itzen, Larry and Carol (Luitjens) Bruhn and many other loved Kofron relatives. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, November 5th, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Rev. Jerry Kopacek officiating.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 4th, at Our Lady of Lourdes from 1 – 3 pm, and continue for 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Monday, November 5th.  Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Howard County Community Hospice, or The Patty Elwood Center. 

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