Cletus Anthony Anthofer

     Cletus Anthony Anthofer, the son of Rudolph L. and Norma K, (Liewer) Anthofer, was born July 18, 1948, in Carroll, Iowa and died at his home in rural Audubon County, Iowa on March 6, 2024, at the age of 75 years, 7 months, and 18 days.

Cletus was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dedham, Iowa. He attended St, Joseph Parochial School in Dedham then graduated from Kuemper High School in Carroll, Iowa with the Class of 1966. Following graduation, Cletus helped operate the family farm.

     On July 1, 1972, he was united in marriage to Patricia M. Nieland at St Bernard Catholic Church in Breda, Iowa. Over the years they were blessed with three children Janet, Kathy, and Russ. Cletus and Pat operated their farm where they grew row crops and raised livestock for many years until Cletus retired in 2017. He then continued to assist his brothers farming operations and helped neighbors whenever he was needed.

     Cletus was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon. He enjoyed going on tractor rides across the State of Iowa. Most important to him was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Cletus was preceded in death by his parents Rudolph and Norma Anthofer; his brother Rudy Anthofer; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Herman and Matilda Nieland.

      Survivors include his wife Pat Anthofer of rural Audubon, Iowa; his children Janet and husband Scott Pattee of Ankeny, Iowa, Kathy and husband Brian Higginbotham of Des Moines, Iowa, and Russ and wife Sarah Anthofer of Bondurant, Iowa; his 5 grandchildren Eleanor and Charlotte Pattee, Jane Higginbotham, Rachel and Luke Anthofer; his brother Larry and wife Lora Anthofer of rural Audubon, Iowa; his in-laws: Dorothy Ventiecher of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Robert and Helen Nieland of Minnesota, Jim and Donna Nieland of Omaha, Nebraska, Elaine Nieland of Carroll, Iowa, Judy and husband Gene Muhlbauer of Halbur, Iowa, Jane Nieland of Carroll, Iowa, Tom and wife Carolyn Nieland of Alamo, Texas, Mike and wife Brenda Nieland of Manning, Iowa, LuAnn and husband Jim Smith of Alabaster, Alabama, and Donna Anthofer of Audubon, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     The family will meet with friends on Sunday afternoon, March 10, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. followed by a rosary at 6:30 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father David Nkrumah on Monday morning, March 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon. Inurnment will be in the St. Jospeh Cemetery in Dedham, Iowa at a later date. The honorary casket bearers will be Larry and Lora Anthofer, Paul and Bev Klocke, Sue Behrens and Jack Voss, and Judy Muhlbauer. The casket bearers will be Mike Anthofer, Alan Anthofer, Matt Anthofer, Derek Anthofer, Jim Schultes. Brad Klocke, and Jon Schumacher.