GERDES, Clara I. (1917-2004)

GERDES, BOECKER, REE, DENNEY, NAUMAN, HELSTAD, FIELD, PEARSON, GOEDDEL

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/10/2016 at 21:08:07

Clara I. Gerdes, 1917-2004

January 21, 2004

Clara I. Gerdes, 86, of Woden, died on Sunday, January 18, 2004, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital, Britt.

Her funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Woden, with the Rev. Arlen Lloyd officiating. Burial will be in the Bingham Township Cemetery south of Woden. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Woden and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Clara Irene Gerdes, the daughter of Albert and Adele "Delia" (Boecker) Gerdes was born on June 19, 1917, on a farm in Linden Township, Winnebago County. She graduated from the Forest City High School. She worked for the Gordon Field family after the mother died, taking care of the three children. When Clara's mother became ill, she cared for her until her death in 1949. After her mother's death, she worked at Smith's Grocery Store and managed the Variety Store in Woden. She later purchased the Variety Store and operated it until she retired in 1981.

She enjoyed traveling and visited all 48 contiguous states, England, Germany, the Holy Land and Mexico. She entered the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center in July of 2002 and moved to the Westview Care Center in Britt in August of 2003.

Clara was an active life time member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Woden, where she was superintendent and taught beginners Sunday School for almost 50 years. She was also the Junior Mission Band Leader for many years. She was an active member of the Hancock County Historical Society, Hancock County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Women's Federated Club in Woden, holding many offices in the local and county club. She belonged to the Woden Senior Citizens, holding many offices including president and was awarded Senior Citizen of the Year for her volunteer work.

She played a very active part in planning the Woden Diamond Jubilee in 1974. She was always interested in the betterment of Woden.

Survivors include two sisters, Leora Ree of Buffalo Center and Esther Denney and husband, Don of St. Louis, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Eddie Nauman of George; five nieces and nephews and their families; and her extended family, Gladys Helstad and husband, Lowell of Minneapolis, Robert Field and wife, Beverly of Albert Lea and Lois Pearson of Minneapolis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Alma Goeddel and Helene Nauman; and a brother, Ed Gerdes.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004

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Clara Gerdes, 86

Clara I. Gerdes, 86, of Woden, died on Sunday, January 18, 2004, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital, Britt.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday today, January 21, at 10:00 a.m., at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Woden, with the Rev. Arlen Lloyd officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Anita Eden who will accompany soloist, Cary Brown and congregational hymns. Casket bearers will be Donald Gerdes, John Ree, Douglas Nauman, Daryl Brunsen, Bob Field and Paul Gerdes. Burial will be in the Bingham Township Cemetery south of Woden, with the Cataldo Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Clara Irene Gerdes, the daughter of Albert and Adele "Delia" Boecker Gerdes, was born on June 19, 1917 on a farm in Linden Township, Winnebago County. She graduated from the Forest City High School. Clara worked for the Gordon Field family after the mother died taking care of the three children, Gladys, Robert and Lois. When Clara's mother became ill, she cared for her until her death in 1949. After her death, she worked at Smith's Grocery Store and managed the Variety Store in Woden. She later purchased the Variety Store and operated it until she retired in 1981.

She enjoyed traveling and visited all 48 contiguous states, England, Germany, the Holy Land and Mexico. She entered the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center in July 2002 and moved to the Westview Care Center in Britt in August of 2003. Clara was an active lifetime member of the St. John's Lutheran Church, where she was Superintendent and taught beginners Sunday School for almost 50 years. She was also the Junior Mission Band Leader for many years. She was an active member of the Hancock County Historical Society, Hancock County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Women's Federated Club in Woden holding many offices in the local and county club. She belonged to the Woden Senior Citizens holding many offices including President and was awarded Senior Citizen of the Year for her volunteer work. Clara played a very active part in planning the Woden Diamond Jubilee in 1974. She was always interested in the betterment of Woden.

She is survived by two sisters, Leora Ree of Buffalo Center and Esther Denney and husband, Don of St. Louis, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Eddie Nauman of George; five nieces and nephews and their families; and her extended family, Gladys Helstad and husband, Lowell of Minneapolis, Robert Field and wife, Beverly of Albert Lea and Lois Pearson of Minneapolis.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Alma Goeddel and Helene Nauman; and a brother, Ed Gerdes.

© 2004 Forest City Summit, Published January 21, 2004, Page B-7