Wallen, Clara (1906-2003)

WALLEN, SIEPELMEIER, BEHRENS, LEONARD

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 11/16/2010 at 23:20:05

Clara M. Wallen
January 17, 1906 - June 8, 2003

Clara M. Wallen, age 97, a former resident of Storm Lake for 62 years, died Sunday, June 8, 2003, at the Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin, Minnesota.

Clara Wallen was born January 17, 1906, in Unadilla, Nebraska, the third daughter of August and Mary (Behrens) Siepelmeier.

Following graduation from Syracuse High School in 1925, Clara continued her education at the University of Nebraska and was awarded a teaching certificate. She taught in country schools near Unadilla before marrying Clarence E. Wallen on June 19, 1930. They moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where Clarence worked for the W.T. Grant Company. After several moves, they purchased a variety store in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. In 1935, they sold this store and purchased a variety store in Storm Lake. Four more Wallen Stores were added in Newell, Sac City, and Alta and Holstein. They also opened the Storm Lake Wholesale and Distributing Company and the Town and Country Discount Store.

Clara was a member of the Storm Lake United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and an original member of the Methodist Manor Guild. She enjoyed music, playing the piano, the organ and the cello. She especially enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include a son, Don Wallen, Mesa, Arizona, and a daughter, Mary Ann Leonard and husband, Gary, of Austin, Minnesota; six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Josie Wallen and Ida Wallen, and her husband who died in Storm Lake on September 22, 1973.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at the Clasen-Jorden Mortuary in Austin. The funeral, arranged by Fusselman-Wymore Mortuary, will be Thursday, June 12, 2003, at the Methodist Church in Unadilla, Nebraska, with the Reverend Jeanette Fagerberg officiating. Burial will be in the Unadilla Cemetery.

© Copyright 2003, Storm Lake Pilot Tribune

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