Obituary of Clarence E. Lodge

Clarence E. Lodge, age 74, longtime West Branch area farmer died Sunday, May 1, 2005, at the Crestview Care Center in West Branch. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 5, 2005, at the St. Bernadette Catholic Church in West Branch with the Reverend Dennis Martin officiating. Burial will be at the West Branch Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund had been established in Clarence’s memory. Online condolences may be sent for his family through our website www.gayandciha.com. Clarence E. Lodge was born March 14, 1931, on the family farm near West Branch, the son of John M. and Mary (Arnold) Lodge. Following graduation from West Branch High School in 1948, he served in the Korean Conflict in the United States Army. On April 21, 1956, he married Betty G. Milligan in Cedar Rapids. He has been a lifetime farmer in the West Branch area, continuing the century farm in his family. He is a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in West Branch, formerly active member of Farm Bureau and Cedar County 4-H, especially involved in the youth committee. His farming was his life and passion, but his family has been his love. His family includes his children, Sandi Donoghue and her husband, Michael of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Barb Ciha and her husband, Bill of West Branch, Mark Lodge and his wife, Pam of Georgetown, TX, Nancy Milder and her husband, Gary of West Branch, and Mike Lodge and his wife, Mindy of West Branch; seven grandchildren, Patrick, Emily, HarleyJo, Amber, Taylor, Taylor, and Tanner; sister, Lucille Novotny of Marion; brother, Harold Lodge and his wife, Margaret of West Liberty; and a number of nieces including one very special to Clarence, Karen Bonser of Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty on March 2, 2004; and a brother-in-law, Robert Novotny. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Clarence’s family and his services.