06/11/2020
Clarice Wilma (Klootwyk) Sams, age 85 of Knoxville passed away at the Serenity House in Oskaloosa on Thursday, June 11, 2020.
A graveside memorial service for Clarice will be held on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. at the Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville.
Clarice was born November 16, 1934 at home about four miles west of Knoxville. She was the daughter of Clarence and Grace (Mowl) Klootwyk. She attended Knoxville High School and graduated with the Class of 1953.
On June 8, 1954 Clarice was united in marriage to Melvin Lee Sams. They were married for 66 wonderful years and were blessed with three children: Yvonne, Linda, and Ronald.
Clarice was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who liked to cook and attend to her garden. She enjoyed fishing, and for many years during retirement, Clarice and Melvin enjoyed winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Clarice is survived by her husband Melvin Sams of Knoxville; two daughters, Yvonne (Stewart) Menninga of Keller, Texas and Linda (Jeffrey) Rhoads of Las Vegas, Nevada; four grandchildren, Chad (Stacy) Ford of Oskaloosa, Katie (Bryan) Goodyk of Keller, Tx, Erica (Michael) Gershman of Mooresville, NC, Nick (Brena Huber) Rhoads of Cedar Falls; and 13 great-grandchildren, Mason Ford, Morgan Ford, Kolten Goodyk, Paxton Goodyk, Trey Goodyk, Brandt Humphrey, Hudson Gershman, Ethen Roiland, Izabella Roiland Keaton Rhoads, Landyn Rhoads, Emily Carriker, and Ryan Carriker. Clarice is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Virginia Gass and Joan Van Klootwyk and many nieces and nephews.
Clarice is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Grace (Mowl) Klootwyk; parents-in-law, Orlin and Gerri Sams; her son in infancy Ronald Wayne Sams; her brother Bethel D. Van Klootwyk; and her granddaughter Elizabeth Rhoads
Memorials may be given in Clarice’s memory to Every Step Hospice of Marion County or the Serenity House of Oskaloosa. The Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville is assisting Clarice’s family with services.