Clara A. Dam

Clara A. Dam, née Diepeveen, age 87, late of Momence, Illinois, passed away peacefully, Friday, May 31, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Ebbele Dam. Loving mother of Robert (Paula) Dam, Vera (John) Grady, and Arlene Jacobs. Cherished grandmother of six grandchildren, Jake and Michael Dam, Kevin (Christine) and Sean (Rebecca) Grady, John Robert and Clare Jacobs; great grandmother of Robert Thomas Grady. Dear sister of Albert (Theresa) Diepeveen, Clara was predeceased by brothers and sisters-in-law Dirk & Elisabeth Diepeveen, and Broer & Janny Diepeveen. Clara was born in Loosduinen, The Netherlands, the daughter of Dirk and Fetje (née van den Bosch) Diepeveen.

Clara and Ebbele emigrated to the U.S.A in 1957, where the family was sponsored by the Christian Reformed Church and they settled in Momence. She was a long-time employee of DuMontelle's Men and Boys Shop in Momence and later started her own alteration business. Clara enjoyed traveling, arranging flowers, sewing and walking with her friends. She regularly baked her special Dutch butter cookies which she often delivered to her home-bound and nursing home friends. She was known for her lilting Dutch accent.

Visitation for Clara will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Momence Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Locust St., in Momence and also Thursday morning from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 2268 N State Route 1-17, in Momence. The Rev. Tim Filkins will officiate. Burial will be in the Momence Cemetery, Momence, IL. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley, 482 Main St NW, Bourbonnais, IL 60914. www.smitsfh.com