Clarence F. Planer

Clarence F. Planer, 79, of Newton, IA and Pierce, NE, died Monday, September 23, 2024, at his home in Newton.  A visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.  A funeral service will be held at the Pierce United Church of Christ at 11 a.m., Monday, September 30, 2024, in Pierce. Burial will follow at Prospect View Cemetery in Pierce. Services in Nebraska are being handled by Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital (at the University of Iowa) or Children’s Nebraska (formerly Children’s Hospital and Medical Center) can be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory during the visitation or at the church on the day of the funeral. Clarence loved children and donated often to children’s hospitals, especially after his grandsons’ lives were saved at Children’s.

Clarence, the son of Clarence F., Sr. and Lenora (Koehler) Planer, was born September 24, 1944, in Norfolk, Nebraska. He graduated from high school in Pierce, Nebraska, and then attended the University of Nebraska, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering.  Clarence was united in marriage with Marilyn Irene Stauffer on August 1, 1964, in DuBois, Nebraska. The couple moved to Newton, Iowa, where Clarence worked at The Maytag Company as an engineer for 28 years. He later worked at Sonoco and First Choice Distribution. Clarence attended the Newton Christian Reformed Church for many years. He had served on the city council and as the mayor of Lambs Grove for several years. He had been a member of the Maytag Management Club and a member and past President of the Iowans for Nebraska. Clarence enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandkids, traveling with his family, and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Although Clarence spent many years working as an engineer, his true passion was farming and spending time working the land.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Newton and Pierce; his children, Todd Planer and wife, Kylee of Lincoln, Nebraska and Dr. Angela Venegoni and husband, Michael of Naperville, IL; 5 grandchildren: Oliver Planer, Aiden Planer, Emerson Planer, Caden Venegoni, and Cooper Venegoni; and his sister, Elizabeth Weich. He was preceded in death by his parents.