Eldon T. Clemens, 95, of Dubuque, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at Ennoble Manor Care. A wake was held Thursday, April 8, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Behr Funeral Home, with a funeral on Friday, April 9, at 10 a.m., St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dubuque. Burial was at Mount Calvary.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jeanne; their children: Ted A. Clemens (Fran Brace) of Prescott, Ariz.; Timothy I. (Kathy) Clemens of Marion; Michelle Y. Clemens of Dubuque; Todd E. (Cathleen) Clemens of Skiatook, Okla.; Toni A. (Bob) Erhart of Keokuk; Tina E. (Gus) Gerken of Fairfax; daughter-in-law Patti (Jack) Fury of Davenport; 26 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Clarence (Evelyn) and Lyle; sister Hazel (Larry) Kersten; two sons, Thomas O. and Terry E.; and one granddaughter, Connie.

Eldon was born October 5, 1914, in Dubuque, the son of Gertrude (Pauly) and Matthias J. Clemens. His parents died when the children were young, so he and brother Clarence went to live in St. Mary's Orphanage in Dubuque while his baby brother Lyle and sister Hazel lived with his maternal grandmother, Catherine "Kate" Pauly. Several years later, Eldon and Clarence also moved in with "Gram." She was so poor that she farmed the boys out in the summer so they could be fed. At age 12 he was sent to a friend's farm in Illinois. The farmer's hogs all died, so he turned his corn crop into moonshine. Eldon's job was to tend the still and keep the fire going, not knowing it was illegal.

Eldon met Jeanne in 1936. They both loved to dance and it was at a dance that they met. He was wearing blue suede shoes, which caught her eye. It was love at first sight. He married Jeanne E. Morgan, daughter of Frank B. Morgan and Margaret Derby, on November 10, 1937, in Dubuque, exactly a year after they met. Her family said their marriage would never last. They resided in Dubuque, later moving to a farm in Sherrill, then back to Dubuque.

Eldon was a dental technician and even made his own dentures. Later he was employed by A.Y. McDonald. Eldon was an avid photographer, enlarging, printing and hand coloring his own photos, which won many awards and prizes over the years. He was also a talented artist with watercolor, chalk, pastels and charcoal, winning prizes for those also. He loved to work with wood and created many beautiful steamer trunks, quilt racks and other pieces. He loved to play cards, which he called "silly games" to his grandchildren. He always had a camera around his neck and a deck of cards in his pocket "just in case." He loved to sing and was in the St. Mary's choir. He was a devout husband, father and grandfather, helping others and serving the Lord he loved. We will all miss him dearly. He always took time to stop and smell the roses and maybe even take a photo.