Esther Lucene “Lucy” Sitzmann, 88, of Le Mars, IA passed away Monday, September 30, 2024, at The Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars. In the days before her passing, she got to visit with all her children.
Funeral services were held Friday, October 4, at All Saints Parish-St. Joseph Catholic Church, Le Mars, IA. Burial was at St. Joseph-Neptune Catholic Cemetery, rural Hinton, IA.
Lucy was born August 9, 1936, to John and Esther (McCorkell) Clarey. Lucy grew up in the rural Merrill, IA area, along with 8 siblings. She started and finished her education at Liberty Consolidated School, conveniently located right across the road from their house. After graduation, Lucy was employed as a bookkeeper in Sioux City, IA.
Lucy met Emmett at dance and were married 6 months later on February 27, 1957, at St. Joseph Neptune Church, rural Hinton, IA. Along with Emmett, a farmer and carpenter, they raised 12 children on Emmett’s childhood homestead that his father (Frank) built in rural Kingsley, IA. Lucy had a very strong faith that got them through the perils of farming and raising 12 children. She would dress her children in the same shirt so she could keep track of them. She was a good seamstress, a trade she learned from her mother, often sewing dresses for her girls. Lucy learned how to play chords on the piano and tried to pass her love of music onto her children. She was still playing the piano just months before her death, and it sounded pretty good. “Little Green Apples”, “Amazing Grace” and many other oldies but goodies were some of her favorites. Lucy also loved to dance. She and Emmett attended dances regularly and continued to do so until they couldn’t do it anymore. Among her special qualities, putting her children first, before herself was high on the list. She made sure the children did not miss out on activities, dances, etc., that could have been easily missed due to chores on the farm. She was always there to lend a helping hand to others who needed it, and she always found the good in the bad. Her faith was a constant that got her through everything.
Those left with fond memories of her life are a son, Tom (Tammy) Sitzmann of Hinton, IA, daughters Chris (Kendal) Sitzmann-Paget of Lincoln, NE, Rae (Jeff) Seizys of Michigan city, IN, and Judy (Keith) Miller of Sioux City, sons, Andy (Yvette) Sitzmann, Sioux City, IA, Tony Sitzmann of Le Mars, Vincent (Bernadette) Sitzmann of Prairie City, IA, Jeff (Missy) Sitzmann of Cedar Falls, IA, Zach (Anna) Sitzmann of Merrill, IA and Jacob (Katie) Sitzmann of Ann Arbor, MI. Also survived by 35 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and more than 400 nieces and nephews. Lucy is also survived by a sister-in-law, Jean Clarey of Cotati, CA,
Preceding Lucy in death were her husband, Emmett Sitzmann, her daughter, Nancy and her son, Joshua, her parents John and Esther Clarey; two brothers, one who died at birth and one died at two years of age; siblings, John (Nadine) Clarey, Patricia (Dwight) Graham, Rich Clarey, Paul (Carol) Clarey, Ann (Lee) DeRocher, Ray (Helen) Clarey, twin sister Lu (Dennis) Beck, Donna (Phil) Vondrak; and good friend and sister in-law, Ginger Sitzmann.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Carmelites or Gospel Mission.
