Inez Bottjen

Inez Leanna Bottjen, 92, passed away Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, April 27, at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. 4th Street, Clear Lake, with Reverend Jason Miller officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Climbing Hill Cemetery, Westfork Township, Climbing Hill, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa or Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.

Inez Leanna Schwarz was born Feb. 17, 1931, in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Emma (Dorale) Schwarz.  She graduated from Climbing Hill High School in 1949, and then continued her education at Business School at Western Iowa Tech. 

Inez was united in marriage to Cecil Bottjen on June 18, 1950; to this union three sons were born. 

Inez enjoyed gardening, cooking, bargain hunting, and keeping up with her grandchildren. Inez and Cecil enjoyed their winters in Bradenton, Fla. for 30 years. Inez loved to play games and cards with her family and friends. She had a good listening ear and enjoyed sharing humor with others. Inez was known for her great cooking following a family tradition. She gave great confidence and loyalty to her husband, Cecil.

Inez is survived by three sons, Dennis (Sandra) Bottjen, of Crosslake, Minn., Larry (Juli) Bottjen, Theodosia, Mo. and Burt (Kathryn) Bottjen, of Clear Lake; 10 grandchildren, Sheryl (Ankur) Tandon, Molly (Blake) Gornowicz, Emily (John) Schurz, Gregory Bottjen, Rachel (Marc) Brouillette, Daniel Bottjen, Sarah (Ian Hall) Bottjen, Amanda (Ben) Janson, Philip (Heather) Bottjen, Abigail (Zach) Arrigoni; nine great-grandchildren, Aryana Tandon, Kira and Violet Brouillette, Stella Janson, Olivia, Emilia, and Hazel Bottjen, Xavier Arrigoni and Hudson Gornowicz.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Emma Schwarz; husband, Cecil Bottjen; brother, Alvin (Sweetie), Earl (Helen), and Norman Schwarz; two sisters-in-law, Clara and Edna Rumhr; six brothers-in-law, Harry, Albert, Carl, Elzie, George, and John Bottjen.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.