Clara Richardson

Clara Marie (Hinz) Richardson of Forest City, Iowa, 87, passed away on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at the MercyOne Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Upon her wishes her body was cremated and there will be no visitation. A private family service will be held.

Clara Marie Hinz was born Nov. 18, 1932, at the Hamilton County Public Hospital in Webster City, to Herbert and Wilhilmine Hinz. She was the second of four children, Elsie, Clara, Herbie and Linda, raised in Blairsburg. She attended Wall Lake No. 8 School as well as Clarion High School. In 1949 the family moved to rural Britt and Clara graduated from Britt High School in 1951.

After graduation, she moved to Forest City and was employed at the Forest City Community Hospital. In 1953 she met Delbert Jean Richardson of Forest City, and they were married April 22, 1955, in Britt. They had five children: Greg, Joni, Linda, Debra and Tom. Together, Delbert and Clara owned and operated Richardson’s Tire Shop in Forest City for 40 years until Delbert’s death in 1995.

Clara was not only the mother to five children, she was an avid golfer, bowler and camper. Many summer evenings would find her and Delbert, along with their friends and everyone’s children, camped out at Crystal Lake State Park and gathered around a campfire blazing in an old tractor tire ring. She also enjoyed playing bridge as well as 500 with close friends. For many years while her children were competing in sports she was their biggest and loudest cheerleader.

Clara had most recently been a resident of Good Samaritan Society care center in Forest City.

Clara is survived by her five children, Greg (Glenda) Richardson of Forest City, Joni (Dennis) Benson of Ankeny, Linda Richardson of Forest City, Debbie (Bob) Steenson of Mason City, and Tom “T.J.” (Debby Hellin) of Garner; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her sister, Elsie Ferguson, of Charles City, and her brother, Herbert (Vera) Hinz, of Charles City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her infant sister, Linda Hinz; her infant granddaughter, Amy Michelle Steenson; and her loving husband, Delbert.