Hahn, Clara S. 1917-2010

HAHN, SCHNEIDER, VOSKA

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/17/2010 at 07:54:13

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, Friday, November 12, 2010

Clara Schneider Hahn, 93, of Le Mars died late Monday evening, Nov. 8, 2010, at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars.

Clara S. Hahn, the daughter of Marie (Voska) and Joseph Schneider, was born Aug. 12, 1917, in Scotland, S.D. Clara graduated salutatorian of her Scotland High School Class of 1935, and then worked for Bell Telephone in Sioux Falls, S.D., for several years. During this time she enjoyed sports including tennis and horseback riding, and also learned to fly airplanes.

Her solo flight in a Lycombe was one of the thrilling moments of her life, and she went on to become the first woman to earn a private pilot's license in the state of South Dakota.

During this time some mutual friends introduced her to another young pilot from Le Mars, Benjamin Hahn. Clara and Ben were married Feb. 27, 1943.

During World War II, Clara assisted Ben in his duties as a civil flight instructor for Army and Navy pilots at the basic flight instruction school in Le Mars. For many years they also ran the Le Mars Dairy with Ben's father, Charles Hahn, but Ben and Clara's hearts were in aviation.

For the next few decades they managed a private airfield on a nearby farm, and later Clara assisted Ben when he was the manager of the Le Mars Airport, and management of the Hahn farm.

Ben and Clara became the parents of three children.

Clara was active in community and civic works including working with Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls Advisory Board, and a past matron of Eastern Star of which she was a member for more than 50 years.

Clara's memory will be cherished by her children, Josephine Green of Winner, S.D., Charles Hahn of Struble, and Martha Hahn of Appling, Ga.; four grandchildren: Debbie Kuchta of Sioux Falls, S.D., Tom Green of Norfolk, Neb., Jon Green of Northlake, Texas and Sarah Green of Vermillion, S.D.; three sisters: Martha Oldham of Springfield, Mo., Julie Hone of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Lily Orchard of Charleston, Ill.; and six great-grandchildren.

Preceding Clara in death are her husband, Ben Hahn, her parents, five brothers and four sisters.

A private service was held for family.

Thoughts, stories and condolences to the family may be directed to meriwalker@hotmail.com.

The family has set up a memorial fund to honor Clara at the Le Mars Public Library and requests donations be made in lieu of flowers. Donations may be mailed to Le Mars Public Library, 46 First St. S.W., Le Mars, Iowa 51031.