Nancy Ahlstrom

Nancy J. (Clutter) Ahlstrom, 77, of Clarion, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Crestview Care Center in Webster City.

Visitation for Nancy Ahlstrom will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 followed by a brief memorial service at 7:00 PM, at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion, Iowa. Private family burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be mailed to the funeral home or Kim Mallinger, 24312 Nelson Avenue, Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501.

Nancy Jeanne Clutter Ahlstrom, the daughter of Curtis Clutter and Muriel Thompson, was born December 1, 1947 in Goodell, Iowa. She grew up in Belmond and Clarion and graduated from Clarion High School in 1966. During that time, Nancy was also involved in 4H.

After high school, she continued her education at Iowa Central Community College then Northwest Missouri State University. She later took different courses through Iowa State University.

Nancy dedicated much of her professional life to serving others through good. She was the beloved head cook of the Dows Community School, a role she cherished deeply. She also cooked at the Clarion Care Center and sold Tupperware.

Nancy was first united in marriage with Eldon Griffey on September 18, 1971 at the Clarion Methodist Church. To this union, two children were born Kim and Kevin. The couple later divorced.

On September 2, 1982, Nancy married Paul Ahlstrom at the Belmond Congregational Church. Together, they raised their children in Clarion and built a home with love, humor and community spirit.

Nancy’s work at the Dows Community school was much more than a job. She adored the children she served and was invested in them. She volunteered countless hours for different school activities including working concessions stands, keeping schools, chaperoning the Prom. She played a key role in helping manage the Dows Golf Course and helped different community activities as well. For that, she was named Iowan of the year in 2004.  A woman of many passions, Nancy also enjoyed bowling, sang in the United Methodist Church Choir and cooking. She was especially famous for her delicious cinnamon rolls.

Those who knew Nancy will remember her for her warm welcomes, upbeat and positive spirit and her occasional well timed cheeky joke.

She is survived by her children Kim (Kirk) Mallinger of Fort Dodge, Kevin Ahlstrom of Clarion and Kim Clagett of Sheffield; grandchildren Logan, Ashley, Jeremy, Stacie, Zac, Lucas, Brittany and Gracie; great-grandchildren Ashlynn, Tysne, Savannah, Clayton, Linus, Gohan and Brennen; sister Linda (John) Thompson of Iowa City; brothers Mike (Peg) Clutter of Clarion and Mark (Dee) Clutter of Colorado; sister-in-law Beth Clutter of Clarion along with extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Brady Ahlstrom, husband Paul Alhstrom, brother Ron Clutter, sister-in-law Jean Trey, and parents-in-law Arvid and Mary Ellen (Hinman) Ahlstrom.