"Claire and Doreen were such a blessing to have on the Concordia campus in our Lay Ministry Training Program. Humble, devout, always friendly and listening carefully to others - a real joy to have in class. His ministries in Milwaukee for the 10 years before he started in MN were creative and caring - all opportunities for sharing his faith (which he speaks of in his books). A real servant of Jesus. He stayed in touch with letters until near the very end. Rev. Royal Natzke, Director of the Lay Ministry Program."
In loving memory of
Claire E. Vomhof
July 12, 1928 - February 3, 2018
Claire Vomhof, 89, of Rochester, passed away on February 3, 2018 at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester.
Claire Eilert Vomhof was born July 12, 1928 in Racine, MN to Eugene and Lauretta (Gieseke) Vomhof. He attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from Stewartville High School in 1946. He married Dorene Kohlmeyer on July 24, 1949 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wykoff, MN.
Claire and Dorene farmed for forty years, first in Racine and later in Wykoff. They retired from the farm in 1988 and moved to Milwaukee, where he attended college for two years and received a degree as a Lay Minister.
Claire always wanted to be a pastor. After a brief interruption of 40 years of dairy farming, he was able to fulfill that dream and became the visitation pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester at age 72, a job he cherished. He was in that capacity from 2000-2016 visiting and bringing communion to the homebound. He also served as a Chaplain for Olmsted Medical Center and for the Prison Ministry in Rochester. Claire wrote letters to family and friends and words of encouragement to many others over the years, sometimes writing over a 100 letters a month. He shared that gift of writing with poems at the baptisms of his younger grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He also wrote three books, sharing the love of Christ through his experience in the ministry.
Claire and Dorene were blessed with nine children. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorene; three sons, Larry (Deb) of Chatfield, MN, Dean (Cheryl) of Gillette, WY and Paul (Linda) Vomhof of Wykoff, MN; five daughters, Dawn (Glen) Halvorsen of Lakeville, MN, Deb (Jim) Brown of Rochester, MN, Marion (Dan) Vomhof of La Mesa, CA, Muriel (Don) Vomhof of West St. Paul, MN and Grace Adams of Eagan, MN and daughter-in-law, Greta Vomhof of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by his sister, Laurel Graham of Victoria, TX; sister-in-law, Ruth Grabau of Phoenix, AZ; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Don Keyes of Wykoff, MN; twenty-four grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; two great, great-grandsons and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a son, Lynn; an infant son; brother, Eugene; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Vomhof, Eunice Kohlmeyer, and Dorothy Meyer; brothers-in-law, Walter Kohlmeyer, Leonard Meyer, Arnie Graham and Reuben Grabau.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 8, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 222 6th Ave. SW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester and one hour prior to the service at the church. The Rev. Nathaniel Schwartz and Rev, Joel Haak will be officiating with interment at St. John's Lutheran Church cemetery in Wykoff, MN. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. John's Lutheran School in Wykoff or to Trinity Lutheran Church, Rochester. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Dorene and family, We extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. May God comfort and strengthen you and give you peace knowing Claire is in glory with his Heavenly Father. We want to honor Claire's memory by donating a Gideon Bible in his name. Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Ron and Julie (Kohlmeyer) Richardson, Stewartville"
"In Paradisum! Well done, Claire, thou good and faithful servant."
"Dorene and family, I remember your wedding at St. John's Lutheran Church and countless other both routine and special times of being together. Claire's smile, his chuckles, his stories. I was amazed at how he could remember all those stories, and how he enjoyed sharing them. I was was so impressed with his humble, faithful service to our Lord and His people. What a wonderful husband, father and caring servant for so many. I have often considered Claire as a model Christian servant to so many in various settings and a faithful minister with all those home visitations. I'm proud and glad to have him as my cousin. You all have been blessed to be united with one another and even more so--with Christ who made your family so outstanding."
"Dear Dorene and family, God's peace and comfort to each of you on the passing of one of God's sons and servants. I was often inspired and encouraged by Claire's faithful life of work, witness, and service. May the Lord give all of us grace to follow in the footsteps of His faithfully departed servants! Sorry that I cannot be with you for the funeral service, but rejoice in God's peace and presence! Pastor Wayne Bernau, Immanuel Lutheran of Courtland, MN "
"Grace, we are saddened to hear of the loss of your dear father. May our good Lord wrap his arms around you and your family, and give you peace. Dan and Donna Voye"
"Those precious few times we were with your family are still in our hearts. Great-grandpa Vomhof was a special person who loved his God, all of God's children and especially his family surrounding him. "
"We are so sorry to hear of Claire's passing. Our sincere condolences to Larry and his family. "
"To Deb, Paul and the whole Vomhof family. Our deepest sympathy to you during this time of great loss in your family. The heavens are rejoicing with your father today! Blessings and peace to you. Robin & Ellsworth Fields"
"Dear Deb Brown and all of the Vomhof family, so sorry for your loss. I know that your dad was a comfort for my mom as were you Deb, thank you.. Hugs and prayers for all. Duane and Heidi Erickson"
"To the family May you find comfort from friends and the God of all Comfort who comforts us in all our trials. (2Cor. 1:4) May he help you to endure and cope with the loss of your dear loved one. May you continue to keep Claire's memory warm in your hearts until you see him happy and healthy again one day"
"So sorry for your loss. Claire's faith and service are an inspiration to all of us. What a wonderful blessing it is to have a father and friend with such a strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He put that faith by serving others. Thank you God for our brother Claire Vomhof, welcome him home in glory."
"This is Donna Mae Jeche Hintze, Ellas daughter. God gave Claire the desire of his heart to serve HIM. What a blessing!. We live in Alamo, TX in the winter. You are all blessed to have had Claire in your life. WHAT A LEGACY. Blessings! "