Claudia Ann Mestdagh

Heaven gained a very special angel on January 18, 2021. Claudia Ann Mestdagh, 76, of Urbandale passed away with her family by her side. She was born August 13, 1944 in Seattle, Washington. She was the only child to Robert and Phyllis Giles Morris. Claudia shared her birthday with two cousins and growing up she thought how fun that made it and it felt like a big reunion. Claudia was always one to share with others, even her birthday celebrations.

She loved to camp and fish and was a self-proclaimed tomboy. Her favorite childhood memories were fishing trips to Woman Lake in Minnesota with her parents. Claudia spent her summers at Camp Hantesa and later became a camp counselor.

Claudia married her husband, Darrell on December 23, 1967. While it was hard work at times, Claudia thoroughly enjoyed keeping an ornery Darrell inline and was an expert at teasing him. They met on a blind date and married three short months later.

For over 40 years, Claudia spent her days teaching. She held a special place in her heart for hundreds of students she taught. You could count on Claudia to go the extra mile to challenge her students. She really saw the best in all of them. Claudia retired from teaching to take care of her grandkids and what a gift that was.

Claudia loved music and it seems like she always had a tune going in her head and could break out in song just about any time. She was quick to laugh and the first to say yes to an adventure. If you were blessed to have known Claudia then you were also blessed to have experienced her kindness.

Claudia is spending her heavenly days now with her parents, grandparents and extended family and is likely looking down on Darrell with his sister, Shirley, both of them checking to make sure he’s not misbehaving.

Claudia will be missed every moment by Darrell and their kids Rod Mestdagh (Teresa Hennings), Kim Scherzer (Erik) and Mike Mestdagh (Lezlie). While being a wife and mother were special, nothing compared to when Claudia became a grandmother to Ashlee Rathbun (Brett), Kendra Palmer (Jesse), Tanner Hennings (friend Olivia Dittmer), Cole Hennings (fiancée, Felicia Kauffman), Nolan and Emeri Scherzer, Maya, Jax and Allie Mestdagh. Her legacy will continue with her great-grandchildren Hadley and Leto Rathbun and Rowen and Wrenly Palmer.

She also leaves with us to keep her memory alive her step-sister, Ann Lindaman, and many special cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the West Des Moines Christian Church on Tuesday, January 26 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Social distancing and face mask procedures will be followed in accordance with CDC and IDPH guidelines.

Claudia’s funeral service will be held at the church on Wednesday, January 27 at 10:00 AM. The service will be livestreamed at the same time on the church website, https://www.wdmcc.org/ with a private burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to West Des Moines Christian Church.