Clarence E. Ptacek

GARNER – Clarence E. Ptacek, 84, of Garner died Saturday (February 9, 2008) at the Concord Care Center in Garner.

Funeral services will be held 10 A.M., Wednesday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Fr. Henry Huber officiating. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Tuesday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner with a Catholic Workman rosary at 4 P.M. and a Scriptural wake service at 7 P.M. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Clarence Edward Ptacek, the son of Adolph and Mary (Nedved) Ptacek, was born October 1, 1923 on a farm south of Duncan. He attended country school in Liberty Township until the seventh grade and then farmed with his father. On October 4, 1943 he married Verneil Gouge at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wesley. They lived on a farm south of Duncan until 1953 when they moved to Estherville where they owned and operated C and V Tavern. In 1956, they moved to Wesley and in 1958 to Duncan. Clarence worked on grain elevators and for Becker Construction until 1962 when they moved to Garner and Clarence began his construction business. He later helped his son, Gerald, build homes in Cedar Rapids. He enjoyed his family, grandchildren, playing cribbage, polka music and dancing.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and Catholic Workman FCSLA Branch W51.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Verneil, of Garner; six children, Joyce (Gary) Meyer of Garner, Jan (Calvin A.) Baumgartner of Garner, Karen (Dennis) Furness of Story City, Gerald (Deb) Ptacek of Cedar Rapids, Kris (Bill) Christie of Garner and Jeff (Debbie) Ptacek of Sioux Falls, SD; sixteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sally Weiskamp of Britt, Marge Schleusner of Garner and Frances (Allan) Doughan of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Tony; and three sisters, Mary Kral, Blanche Witte and Agnes Kumsher.