Services
Obituary
John O. Lager, 90, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 608 2nd Avenue Northeast in Clarion with Father Jerry Blake officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Clarion.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion. Rosary will begin at 3:30 PM prior to visitation.
John Odilo Lager Jr. was born on August 11, 1935, in Mitchell, Nebraska, to John Odilo Lager Sr. and Esther (Pieper) Lager. Raised with strong farming roots, John was a true farm boy from an early age, working alongside his father planting potatoes and sugar beets in Nebraska—an experience that shaped his life and values.
In March of 1948, John and his family moved to Rowan, Iowa, following Esther’s sister, Mary Ellen Arndorfer to farmland in Wright County, where John continued the agricultural way of life that had always been a part of him.
Johnnie attended Rowan Public School, where he graduated from high school in 1953. During his high school years, he led a full and active life, participating in basketball and baseball, serving on the annual staff and student council for four years, and taking part in drama for two years. He also performed in class plays for three years, served as a class officer, and spent a year as manager for both the basketball and baseball teams.
Beyond school, Johnnie was deeply involved in 4-H for nine years, where he showed pigs and dairy cattle and served as a club officer. In 1953, he was honored as 4-H King at Fun Night. These formative years helped shape the wonderful man he became.
In 1954, John married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Ann Gram at Saint John’s Catholic Church of Clarion IA. The newlyweds began their married life in Latimer, Iowa, where John worked as a mechanic for Standard Oil. In 1956, the couple moved to Belmond, where he was employed by Joe Skelly Station and Elliott Hardware. They later moved to a farm east of Rowan, where John began his lifelong work in farming. In 1963, they relocated to a farm four miles south of Clarion, which they called home for many years. After farming for 50 years they retired and John and Shirley moved into Clarion, where they continued to enjoy their life together.
John farmed for many years with his brother-in-law, Richard Brooks. In addition to farming, he worked at D&E Motors in Clarion and also helped with the construction of Clarion High School. During these years, John and Shirley were blessed with six daughters.
As his daughters grew, John became involved in 4-H once again, working alongside them as they showed cattle and horses and completed a wide variety of projects. He later served as a leader for the Lincoln Leaders 4-H Club and was honored as a 4-H Alumni member and as an Honorary 4-H member.
Baking was John’s favorite 4-H project of his daughters, as it always gave him the opportunity to sample the results. At any time, you could count on John asking for his favorites—fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, potato salad, pumpkin pie, heart-healthy cake,biscuits and gravy and, of course, peanut butter.
John also devoted many years to helping his youngest daughter, Marcella (Lager) Brodersen, operate the 4-H Food Stand, a role he proudly fulfilled for 12 years. He raised cattle for over 50 years and was a member of the Wright County Cattlemen, taking great pride in seeing three of his daughters crowned Beef Queens. In addition to beef cattle, John worked with hay and grain and raised dairy cattle and hogs throughout his farming career. After retirement John and his wife worked at life touch for 7 years
Although much of John’s life was devoted to farming and 4-H, the true love of his life was his family. John always hoped for a son, but instead was blessed—no matter how many times they tried—with six daughters. Even without a boy, his wife and six girls kept him on his toes and filled his life with immeasurable joy… and perhaps a few early gray hairs. John’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought even more happiness to both him and his wife, Shirley. He loved spoiling them in every way he could—tractor, combine and horse rides, four-wheeler trips through the creek, brunch after church, Thursday night dinners, and faithfully attending any and all events to show his support. From time to time, John would even break into song. As his family grew and spread across different places, John’s love for them never faded. No matter how much time had passed, you were always greeted by John’s unforgettable smile.
John is survived by his wife of 71 years Shirley Ann (Gram) Lager
His 6 daughters Melody Lager (Fiancé Steve Aldrich) of Dows, IA, Margaret (Rick) Schmidtke of Walker, MN, Mary Lager of Clarion, IA, Maurita (Gene) Gourley of Webster City, IA, Milissa (Don) Katschke of Clarion, IA, Marcella (Bill) Brodersen of Pleasant Hill IA, and beloved nephew Joe (Karlene) Spitler
His 12 Grandchildren Aaron (Erin) Harris, Kevin (Cindy) and Jeff (Melissa) Schmidtke, Nicole and Rachel (Nate Radke) Fletcher, Jackie Zeiger, Julie (Kenneth Hyland) Bell, Joshua (Megan) Zeiger,Gabrielle (Fiancé Royce Nessa) and Chandler (Fiancé Jordan Jensen) Gourley, Kelsie and Chloe Brodersen
His beloved 23 Great Grand Children and 5 Great Great Grand Children.
His sisters Jean Durham, Elaine (Rich) Brooks brother in law Don Wolfe.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, his sister Janice (Lager) Wolfe his brother-in-law Sid Durham his triplet grandchildren Ashley, Ona, and Coulter Gourley. His special niece Annie (Brooks) Just, God Daughter/Niece Monica Durham, Nephew Michael Durham, Great nephew and niece Dusty and Afton Spitler, and his great grandchild Wyatt Schmidtke.