Claudia Elaine Oberman Eldridge, 84, of New London, formerly of Yarmouth, died Monday, May 18, 2026 at University of Iowa Health Care Center Downtown. She was born April 23, 1942 in Yarmouth to Jack and Wilma Kepper Oberman. On May 6, 1961 she married Robert “Bob” Eldridge in Winfield.
Claudia was a 1960 graduate of Yarmouth High School, and attended Medical Technician school in Minneapolis. She then earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science with an emphasis on Spanish at UNI graduating with honors.
She worked as a lab tech at the Independence Mental Health Institute for four years before returning to school. She then was a longtime Media Specialist and Spanish teacher in the Benton Community Schools, Belle Plaine Schools, and the Mediapolis School District. She was also an adjunct teacher at Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. Because she couldn’t be idle, she worked at Two Rivers Bank in Mediapolis.
Claudia was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, which was very important in her life, and dearly loved working with the little children, especially those who needed a little extra TLC. She also loved working in the church tent at Old Threshers.
She enjoyed baking, canning, sewing, and tending her flower gardens. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary; Daughters of the American Revolution; and was treasurer of the Oberman-Beck Foundation.
Besides her husband, survivors include her sons Erik (Katie) of North Liberty and Darrick (Amy) of Riverside; seven grandchildren, Lexi, Hope, Faith, LilliAnne, Kahlan, Kameron and Magdalena; two great-grandchildren Cooper and Mayburry; sister Peggy Linder of Dixon, Illinois; brother George (Cindy) Oberman of Dexter, Iowa; sister-in-law Jody (Gary) Sprague of Philadelphia, PA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Patricia Darbyshire; and brothers-in-law Larry Darbyshire and David Linder.
Friends may call at Elliott Chapel from noon until 3:00 pm, Friday, May 22 to sign the register, then at Faith Lutheran Church, 910 E. Maple Leaf Drive, Mt. Pleasant, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm where the family will be present. The funeral service will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Faith Lutheran Church with Pastor Michael Scudder officiating. Interment will follow the service at Shinar Cumberland Cemetery, Pleasant Grove Township. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.