Clair Hosting

Monday, December 26, 2016 5:04 pm

Clair Hosting, 75, of Ft. Atkinson, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, at Traditions in West Union. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ft. Atkinson, with Rev. Kyle Digmann officiating. Lector was Sister Jean Ann Rausch FSPA. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. St. John’s Choir sang “Be Not Afraid,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “You are Mine,” “Softly and Tenderly” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Offertory gift bearers were Clair’s grandchildren. Eucharistic ministers were Diane Breucken, Theresa Ryan and Jim Goerend. Casket bearers were Kyle Hosting, Bryce Hosting, Madison Phipps, Cody Phipps, Kevin Vsetecka and Adam Vsetecka. Interment was at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Fort Atkinson. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson.

Clair Dominic Hosting was born April 15, 1941, the son of Clair J. and Ella (Goerend) Hosting on the family farm near Waucoma. Clair attended school in Waucoma until 7th grade and then attended and graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1958. Clair worked for Croatt Implement and Schmitt Implement, both in Fort Atkinson, before working at John Deere in Waterloo for 34 and a half years, retiring in 1998. Clair was united in marriage to Bernice Rausch Aug. 26, 1961, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. To this union, four children were born: Lyle, Alan, Craig and Julie. After retirement, Clair enjoyed golfing, woodworking and tinkering with all mechanical things. He liked to read Louis Lamour western books and was a sports fan, enjoying the Iowa Hawkeyes. Clair and Bernice enjoyed traveling to Europe, Italy, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands, as well as all 50 states. Clair was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, the Foresters and the Jackson Heights Country Club.

Clair is survived by his wife, Bernice Hosting, Fort Atkinson; four children: Lyle (Bev) Hosting, Fort Atkinson; Alan (Mary) Hosting, Decorah; Craig Hosting, Fort Atkinson; and Julie (Dean) Phipps, Des Moines; four grandchildren: Kyle and Bryce Hosting, Madison and Cody Phipps; step-grandchildren: Kelli Howard, Dean (Melissa) Phipps, Ashley Phipps, Adam (Becky) Vsetecka, Jamie (Adam) Green and Kevin Vsetecka; along with several step-great grandchildren; three sisters: Bernadette (Don) Leibold, Lawler; Mary Jo (Herb) Irgens, Jackson, Miss.; and Sue Pollard, Red Oak; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Sister Jean Ann Rausch, FSPA, Sioux City; Judy (Art) Jenison, Randall; Robert (Mary) Rausch, Waucoma,; Norma (Larry) Crist, Marietta, Ga.; Marilyn (Pat) Garvey, Ankeny; Theresa (Tom) Ryan, Marengo; David (Sue) Rausch, Fort Atkinson; Diane (John) Bruecken, Waukee; Paul (Julie) Rausch, Austin, Minn.; and Eileen (Doug) Tosh, Cedar Rapids.

Clair was preceded in death by his parents, Clair J. and Ella (Goerend) Hosting; one stillborn son, John Hosting, in 1965; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alex and Loretta (Riha) Rausch.