Clara "Clare" G. (Pennings) Dercks

Clara (Clare) Dercks, Little Chute, age 94, passed peacefully on Monday, March 31, 2025.  She was born on August 27, 1930 to the late Arthur and Rose Pennings.  Clare graduated from St John High School.  She married Eugene (Gene) Dercks September 15, 1951 at St John Nepomucene Catholic Church, where she was a lifelong member.  Gene preceded her in death on March 26, 1998 after 46 years of marriage.  

Clare loved life and enjoyed all of her family and friends around her.  She will always be remembered for her infectious laugh and the way she looked at the sunny side of life!  She had a particular affinity for cookies and ice cream yet her outlook on life was even sweeter.  Her line, "Well I'm here, let's make the best of it" was her chosen way to live.   She had a strong Catholic faith and shared it with everyone.  She enjoyed and participated in all kinds of activities and loved playing cards and shaking dice.  She liked to win!  Her sharp wit always made the time with her interesting and fun!  She had a special place in her heart for her grandkids and great grandkids, offering all kinds of advice whether they wanted it or not!  She truly will be fondly remembered and missed by everyone who knew her.   

Clare is survived by her children:  Steve (Dori) Dercks, Paula (Tom) Zielinski, Dan (Amy) Dercks, Beth (John) Straw, daughter-in-law Rochelle Yngcong Dercks; grandchildren: Nick Dercks, Mike (Katie) Dercks, Charlie (fiancee Emilie) Dercks, Brad (Kara) Zielinski, David (Katie) Schommer, Tara (Chris) DePrey, Michael (Stephanie) Zielinski, Emily (Adam) Ethridge, Katie (Rob) Moore, Christopher (Kayla) Johnson, Kevin (fiancee Nina) Johnson, Joel (fiancee Jennie) Straw, Tatum (special friend Grayson) Straw, 26 great grandchildren; brother Joseph (Cassie) Pennings, sister-in-laws Marilyn Pennings, Joan Geurts, Myra Dercks, Delores (Dwayne) VanderLoop, brother-in-law Tom Dercks.  She is further survived by many special nieces and nephews and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Gene, Clare was preceded in death by her son, Jim and siblings Millie (Bob) Jansen, Ethel (Jack) Niesz, Rosemary Pennings, Margaret (Bill) Zornow, Arthur Pennings;  sisters and brothers in-laws Julia (Cyril) Reichel, Paul (Ann) Dercks, Eleanor (Harvey) Mahn, Harold (Lily) Dercks, Rosemary (Virgil) Helms, Russell Dercks, Irene (Mark) Verhagen, Laverne Dercks, Roger (Berniece) Dercks, Margaret Dercks, Lefty Geurts.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025, at ST JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (411 Vandenbroeck Street, Little Chute) from 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.  Following the visitation, Monsignor Jim VandenHogen and Deacon Mark Ebben will celebrate the funeral mass at 12:00 noon.  

In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to St Paul Elder Services, St John's Catholic Church.  For online condolences, please visit www.verkeilenfh.com

The Dercks family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at St Paul's Elder Services, Villa and Manor and the Hospice Team for their gentle and caring support for the last 2 and half years. Special thanks to Kteille Smith and hospice nurses Micki and Corrine.  Each step of the way she was treated with compassion, love and dignity.  We will be forever grateful.