The funeral Mass for Joseph W. Clemens will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester, with the Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.  Visitation will be held from 5:00pm – 8:00 pm on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at Macken Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Friends may also visit one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.  There will be a Prayer Service at 7:45pm Tuesday at the funeral home.

Joseph W. Clemens died on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield surrounded by family.

Joseph was born on October 1, 1914, to Matthew and Barbara (Nigon) Clemens, on the family farm in Southwest Rochester.  He graduated in 1933 from St. John's High School. On April 20, 1942, he married Elizabeth (Betty) McGeary.  Betty passed away on April 8, 1981.  On December 7, 1991, he married Rita Rhoten.  The couple lived in Rochester Towers, and spent many winters in Apache Junction, AZ.  Rita passed away October 15, 2007.  In November 2007, Joseph moved to Southeast Rochester to reside with a son and a daughter, and then moved to the Shorewood Senior Campus in July of 2009.  He recently had moved to Chosen Valley Nursing Home.

Joseph had farmed in Northwest Rochester until he semi-retired in 1979.  He then farmed in Byron until he was in his late eighties.

Joseph is survived by eight children: two daughters; Martha Stephas of Chatfield, and Katherine Clemens of Rochester, six sons; Michael (Marcia) of Byron, James (Ardella Felper) of Cresco, IA, Gerald (Lisa) Clemens of Minneapolis, David Clemens of Rochester, Charles (Leona) Clemens of Chesterfield, MO, Neil (Pamela) of Kasson and a son-in-law Earl Schwantz from Plainview.  He is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by two wives, a daughter (Joan Schwantz), and infant son (William Joseph Clemens), a son-in-law (Gerald Stephas), three brothers, seven sisters and his parents.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.