Clarence Topf

Clarence John Topf was born January 14, 1931, in Charter Oak, Iowa, the son of John and Leona (Kofmehl) Topf. He passed away Sunday, September 29, 2013, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 82.
Clarence attended Saint Boniface Catholic School in Charter Oak, Iowa, and graduated from Dow City High School in 1949. On August 10, 1950, Clarence married Theresa McHugh at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in Pisgah, Iowa. They lived on a farm eight miles south of Charter Oak.
To this union four children were born – Patricia, Dennis, and twins Karen and Sharon. They brought much joy to their parents’ lives and the family always looked forward to the day school was out for the summer as they would pack up their old school bus camper for vacation with family and friends. In their love of travel, Clarence and Theresa went to Europe, met several German and Irish relatives, and enjoyed family reunions across the states.
After Clarence’s grandfather passed away, he began delivering mail on the Star Mail Route from Charter Oak to Schleswig, during which he met Theresa. He then worked for Clark’s Limestone Quarry in Logan, Iowa, until purchasing his own caterpillar to do conservation work. In 1960 he worked at John Deere in Charter Oak; and then from 1965-1971was manager of Nixon Feed in Denison. He farmed for the next five years and in 1976 worked as a crop adjuster in several states for several years.
During the spring of 1997 they built a home in Charter Oak next to Saint Boniface Catholic Church where Clarence was the oldest continuous parishioner. He was a member of the first church finance board and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Clarence was past Grand Knight of Council 12487 when the Council received the prestigious Gold Star Awards. It was a great joy for Clarence working with the Knights. On January 20, 2013, Worthy Sir Knight, Clarence J. Topf, received the honor of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus, their highest Degree.
Community activities Clarence was involved in throughout the years include helping get the Community Building built, serving as their first secretary and also treasurer; shaping the football field with his caterpillar; volunteer mowing and blading snow for years. Those hours and activities were a labor of love working with the guys. Clarence also headed up benefits for those in need, helping to start the Senior Citizens Center and historical Huber House. Clarence also served on the Charter Oak Historical Club and fundraising committee for the History Book; Crawford County Extension Council; 4H Youth Council; Township Trustee; and the Denison Chamber of Commerce.
Following Clarence’s stroke in March of 2011 he lived at Eventide Nursing Home in Denison where he benefited from the skill, compassion, and friendship of the nursing and care associates.
Survivors include his wife, Theresa of 63 years; daughter Patricia Reed of Des Moines, Iowa; Dennis Topf (Lori) of Charter Oak; Karen Palmersheim of Manchester, Iowa; and Sharon Thill (Randy) of Pleasantville, Iowa; grandchildren: Amanda Clausi (Brady), Zachary Reed, David Topf, Ryan Topf, Dr. Kathie Whitt (John), Daniel Palmersheim, Andrew Palmersheim, Thomas Thill, John Thill (Whitney), and great-grandchildren: (Reed’s) Theodosia, Bobby, Peyton, Brady Jr. and Dominick; (Thill’s) Braxton and Tatum; and a host of relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, John and Leona Topf and son-in-law, Randy Palmersheim.