Gene Claffey

Gene Claffey, 92, passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 13, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, December 14 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny with visitation one hour prior at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Kilkenny.

Gene was born on March 2, 1923 in Kilkenny to Francis and Grace (Doyle) Claffey. He was a graduate of Montgomery High School in 1941. Gene was united in marriage to Doris Loftus on May 26, 1945 at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny. She has been the love of his life for 70+ years. Gene and Doris lived in Kilkenny from 1945 to 1987 after retiring from farming in 1981 he worked at Green Giant for 11 years. They then moved to Le Center in 1987. Gene was a member of the Le Center Community Club, and St. Mary's KC's. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends and family.

Gene is survived by his wife, Doris Claffey of Le Center; children, Carol (Norm) Linnell of Hudson, WI., Linda (George) Martin of Colorado Springs, CO., Mary (Tom) Bezdichek of Brookings, SD., and Joyce (Bill) Bezdichek of Roseville, MN.; grandchildren, Susan Linnell, Tom Linnell, Jeff Martin, Katie Gonzalez, Jodi Cross, Michael Bezdichek, Annie Stratton, Jason Bezdichek, Amy Bezdichek and Megan Bezdichek, and 9 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by, parents; grandson, Brian Bezdichek; brothers, Clayton Claffey and Jerome Claffey.

Arrangements are with the Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. 507-357-6116. www.lecenterfuneralhome.com.