Clara D. (Hrubes) Formanek

Clara Formanek, 90, of Britt passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at Westview Care Center in Britt.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Clara Formanek will be held on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 1:00 PM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 2343 Navy Avenue in Duncan with Father James Dubert officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan.

Visitation for Clara Formanek will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Clara Della (Hrubes) Formanek was born on March 4, 1926 to Edward and Della (Wellik) Hrubes in Duncan, Iowa. She was raised on the farm in rural Duncan.

After eighth grade, Clara helped out around her family’s farm as well as many other neighboring farms. While working on Frank and Emma Zrostlik’s farm, she met the love of her life, Cyril Formanek, who worked at Frank’s tire business.

On November 22, 1944, Cyril and Clara were united in marriage. Following their wedding, the couple moved to Mason City, where their two children were born. They then, moved back to a farm in rural Britt in 1947.

Cyril and Clara shared many nights square dancing at Duncan Hall and listening to Polka music.

Clara was an avid baker; she was well known for her rye bread, kolaches, and rolachys. There were few recipes used in her kitchen, as she would measure her ingredients with “a little of this, and a little of that.”

Clara had an excellent work ethic. She worked as an interior painter in homes as well as wall papering. Following her job as a painter, she spent nearly twenty years working at the Kanawha Community Home.

She had a love for gardening and a passion for her chickens, but most of all, she loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchildren. She would always surprise them at school with goodies on their birthday.

Clara was also known for her jewelry collection. You would not see her leave the house or her room in the nursing home without wearing a necklace, bracelets, and earrings.

Clara is survived by her children: Bob (Val) Formanek of Ventura and Bill (Sharon) Formanek of Des Moines; grandchildren: Cindy Quail (John Kehm), Kim (Daryl) Ruter, and Brent (Kristin) Formanek; 9 great-granchildren; 7 great great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosemary Hrubes, and numerous nieces and nephews and other family members.

Clara is preceded in death by her husband, Cyril; her parents; siblings: George, William, and Lillian Hrubes; and a great-grandson.