Warren (Rancher) Sears

 Rancher Warren Sears, 93, of Clear Lake, Iowa died Monday, July 28, 2014 at his home. Memorial services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, with Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating. Military honors were provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W. The family suggests memorials to Rancher Sears Memorial Fund in lieu of flowers.

 Rancher was born Dec. 24, 1920, in Burchinal, Iowa the son of Calvert and Ina (Pratt) Sears. He attended country school. He farmed with his dad until he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force during W.W. II., where he was an aerial gunnery instructor for four years.
 Following the service, knowing his father had sold the farm, he started as a apprentice in construction for four years, then journeyman carpenter and taught himself electrical wiring for homes and plumbing. After working for several other contractors, he started his own construction company called Warren Builders and operated until he retired in 2003. He built over 81 homes in Clear Lake and Ventura, plus he did additions and a million odd jobs. At one time he had a crew of six workers.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, stamp and coin collecting, collecting Lions pins, keys and going on the Honor Flight. He enjoyed sending articles to the newspaper and his underground people called him, “The Legend.”
In 1975 he was one of the founders and was elected first president of Muddy Pond and a member of other citizen band clubs and was known as Oakwood Rancher. He was a member of Clear Lake Evening Lions and was past president and was district governor from 1991-1992. He was a member of Lion International Trading Pin Club for over 20 years. He was a lifetime member of Clear Lake V.F.W.; lifetime member of Am Vets, which he was also past president and also a member of American Legion. He was also a 50 year member of I.O.O.F Lodge; former member of Moose. He was a member of River City Rifle and Pistol Club and a longtime member of N.R.A.
He is survived by his loving wife, Karen Sears, Clear Lake; daughter, Judy (Carl) Hunt, Osakis, Minn.; step-children Glenda (Brian) Robbins, Ventura, Iowa, and Robert (Shelly) Auchampach, Northwood, Iowa; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; close friends, Roberta and Paul Colsrud, Mallard, Iowa; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maxine; infant daughter, Jane Lynn, twin to Judy; four sisters and one brother.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.