Claire Marie Dercks

Claire M. Dercks passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday morning, June 17, 2006 following a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 78. She was born in Kaukauna on July 9, 1927, daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine (Kauffman) Kiffe. Claire graduated from the Kaukauna High School and on June 27, 1950, Benedict “Ben” Dercks made Claire his bride. The couple was blessed with over fifty-five years together.

Claire loved to crochet Рespecially dish cloths and afghans for family and friends, feeding and caring for the many varieties of birds that visited her yard, and also enjoyed the “occasional” trip to the casino. She will be remembered by all as an excellent homemaker, a great cook, and for keeping a spotless house.

Her family meant the world to her, and she devoted her life to caring for and loving those who cared for and loved her. They include her husband of fifty-five years: Ben Dercks; seven sons: Stan (Helen) Dercks, Gerald Dercks, Dave (Karen) Dercks, Thomas (Marie) Dercks, and Robert (Dawn) Dercks), all of Kaukauna; Ronald (Cindy) Dercks of Appleton and John (Janet) Dercks of Kaukauna; twenty three grandchildren: Mary (John) Bachhuber, Paul (Kelli) Dercks, Cathy (Mitch) Spoehr, Michael Dercks, and Cheryl (Doug) Mader; Jennifer (Jamie) Thern and Terri Jo Dercks; Ben, Jeff, and Tracy Dercks; Melissa, Kristen, and Travis Dercks; Danielle, Brian, and Nick Dercks; Corey, Katey, Kristy, Chad, and Kelly Dercks; and Jeremy and Jenna Dercks; ten great-grandchildren: Owen and Daniel Bachhuber, Bennet and Emerson Dercks, and Trevor and Nathan Spoehr; Cassie and Carter Thern, Chloe and Collin Dercks; a sister: Patricia Koch of Kaukauna; and two sisters-in-law: Margaret Kiffe of Florida and Martha Dercks of Kaukauna. Claire was preceded in death by a grandson: Jamie Dercks; a great-granddaughter: Rose Schroedl Dercks; thirteen brothers and sisters: Alois (Josephine) Kiffe, Leone (John) Linskens, Marcella “Delle” (Frank) Huss, Cecelia “Seth” (Clarence) Huss, Clayton “Toby” (Eunice) (Vi) Kiffe, Margaret (John) Kimball, Kenneth Kiffe, Harold “Ony” (Ardyth) Kiffe, Clarence (Gloria) Kiffe, Thedosia “Dote” (James) Verhagen, Flavia “Flave” (James Belling) (James) Nagel, Richard (Frances) Kiffe, Ronald Kiffe; and a brother-in-law: Jerome Koch.

The funeral liturgy for Claire will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna with Fr. Jack Mullarkey officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday evening from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM at which time the cortege will leave for the church. There will be a parish prayer and scripture service at 7:30 PM Monday evening at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to everyone who has cared for Claire during her illness, but special thanks for Drs. Schoening, Guenther, and Winek. You cared for Claire as though she was your own – your kindness will always be remembered by our grateful family.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130
920-766-6200