Obituary of Evan Clemmens

Evan Clemmens, 84, formerly of West Branch and Iowa City, died at Trinity Center in Des Moines, IA, on Saturday, August 22, 2020. Evan was born November 3, 1935, in rural Cedar County, Iowa, the son of Ray and Louise (Wilkerson) Clemmens. Evan grew up on the farm in Cedar County, attended the Springdale United Methodist Church and was active in the Boy Scout Troop. He graduated from Springdale High School in 1953. In 1957, Evan enlisted in the Army Reserves. He received Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; and also at Ft. Ord, CA. He achieved the rank of Sergeant in the Army. Evan moved to Cedar Rapids in 1960 and was employed by Collins Radio. It was also in 1960 that he met Margaret Witzel at a roller skating rink in Cedar Rapids. Evan and Margaret were united in marriage in Coralville on August 31, 1961. Early on in their marriage Evan and Margaret moved to Springdale and lived behind the Springdale School. Evan worked for the school for a short time and in 1963 they together bought a farm east of Springdale. They lived in the two-story farmhouse for 40 years. Evan also began working for the University of Iowa around the time they moved to the farm. He worked in the Medical Instruments and the Physics and Astronomy Departments while employed for the University of IA. Evan and Margaret raised two children, Scott and Lisa, on the farm in Cedar County. Evan loved to be outside. He had many hobbies that included the great outdoors. Some of these were gardening with Margaret, mushroom hunting, flying kites with the children and grandchildren, and driving his Massey Harris tractor. Around 1978, he bought a new wood-burning furnace for the farmhouse. Lisa and Scott remember how they worked hard on the weekends in the fall cutting trees in the timber and hauling the logs back home in the bed of the pickup, and stacking them neatly in the woodshed. This was a yearly tradition that was just part of living on the farm. He enjoyed taking vacations with the family, and especially visiting his cousins in Wyoming and Colorado. He was also a classic car enthusiast and could identify a car's make, model, and year at a glance. As a machinist, Evan took pride in the projects that he worked on in collaboration with the University of Iowa's Spacecraft Crew. The Plasma Diagnostics Package that went up with the Space Shuttle Columbia was a five-year project that was a monumental achievement in his time working for the University. In retirement, Evan and Margaret built a home southwest of Iowa City. Evan's faith was very important to him. He and Margaret attended The River Baptist Church and enjoyed attending Sunday services and also participating in the Church's “Home Group.” They also volunteered through their church at the Ronald McDonald House and helped to serve the annual Thanksgiving Meal at The River. Evan and Margaret moved to Des Moines in 2014 to be closer to their daughter, Lisa, and her family. They moved into the Luther Park Community and lived out the remainder of their lives there. Survivors include his sister, Marilyn (Harley) Conrad; sister-in-law, Ruby Clemmens; a daughter, Lisa (Scott) Lewis; son, Scott (Jill) Clemmens; grandchildren, Sarah Lewis, Amanda Lewis, Jeremy (Hannah) Bower; Jordan Bower; great grandchildren – Jayana and Brooks Bower and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Ray, mother- Louise, wife, Margaret, and a brother, Robert. The family would like to thank the staff at Luther Park Community and Unity Point Hospice for the comprehensive and compassionate care Evan received while residing there. Private family burial services have taken place at the Pee Dee Cemetery near Springdale. Public memorial services will be held at a later date to be announced. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family, please go to the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Evan’s family and his services.