Claudine J. Erwin

Published by editor on Wed, 01/13/2021 - 11:19am

Claudine J. Erwin

1936-2021

KEOTA-Claudine J. Erwin, age 84, of Washington, formerly of Keota, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at the Washington County Hospital.

Claudine was born June 11, 1936, in Keota, to Harry and Iva (Lenninger) Heisdorffer and graduated from Keota High School in 1954. On June 9, 1956, she married Douglas Erwin at St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota. Following marriage they moved several times while Doug was working construction. They then returned to Keota and owned Hot Stuff Pizza, Erwin Brothers Video, Flowers by Claudine and the Long Branch. Claudine was a member of Holy Trinity Parish and the Altar and Rosary Society. She also served on the Keota QRS, the Wilson Memorial Library board and was the first woman to be elected to the Keota City Council. Claudine enjoyed going to her sons’ football games, granddaughter’s softball games, playing cards with her friends at the U.P. Home, listening to Elvis Presley music and watching Elvis Presley movies.

Survivors include four sons: Randal (Vicki) Erwin of West Chester, Ronald Erwin of Cedar Rapids, Reggie (Dee) Erwin of Ankeny and Russell “Gus” (Bonnie) Erwin of West Des Moines; one granddaughter: Michelle (Dylan) Wertz of Kalona and sister-in-law: Lora (Joe) Van Lent of Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Doug in 2009; brother: Arden Heisdorffer in 1970 and sister: Mary Grace Mayer in 2018.

Funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with Rev. Robert Lathrop officiating. The service will also be livestreamed on the Powell Funeral Home facebook page. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Mary’s Cemetery in Keota. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the church, where there will be a rosary at 4 p.m. Mask usage and social distancing are required at both the visitation and funeral.

A memorial fund has been established for the Keota Fire Department or Keota QRS. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Claudine and her family. Tributes may be made at Powell Funeral Homes.

Visit Powell Funeral Homes by clicking here.