Clara F. Lenhard

Clara Frances Lenhard, who for the last 4 years resided at Wells Nature View Assisted Living in Marshfield, Wisconsin ended her journey on earth to start a new life with her Lord on December 25, 2009. Clara was born October 25, 1920 in the Town of Day - Marathon County, the daughter of John and Anna (Brausch) Bangart. Clara was raised on a farm and attended schools in the Rozellville area. She loved the fact that she was part of a large loving family. On August 8, 1942 Clara married Clarence Lenhard at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Rozellville. Together they worked on a farm in the Athens area and raised 7 children. Clara loved the simple life. She would be up at the crack of dawn to milk cows and work hard all day long. She enjoyed being outside, working in her large garden, which in the fall would mean harvesting and canning vegetables. If there were raspberries and strawberries to be picked, she would be there. If someone need an address/phone number or needed to remember a date, Clara would know it. Clara loved to sew, and many relatives own a quilt tied by Clara. When it came time for a special occasion, whether it was a birthday, wedding, or baptism, Clara was always there with a cake. If you came to visit, she would send baked goods home with you. Clara did a variety of crafts. In later years, she enjoyed working in the ginseng gardens. Clara kept the crib up as there were always grandchildren or great grandchildren to watch over. Clara had many talents but her family and God were most important to her. Her rosary was always under her pillow. Clara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clarence (October 16, 2003), sisters, Katherine Denk, Marie Kloos, Helen Mader, Barbara Spindler; brothers, Andrew, Anton, Ernie, Edward, and Theodore Bangart. Those left behind to carry on all her wonderful attributes include her seven children: Bev (Arlyn) Stencil, Edgar; Terry (Joseph) Burger, Marshfield; Dwight (Anne) Lenhard, Athens; Jennie (Francis) Skrzypchak, Wausau; Tim (Mary) Lenhard, and Cindy (Steve) Riehle, Marathon, Darryl (Patricia) Lenhard, Medford; grandchildren: Cara (Fred) Baeseman, Brenda Stencil, Rhonda (Jon) Verdegan, David Stencil, Joe (Angela) Burger, Steve Burger, Nathan (Carrie) Burger, Jillian (Jesse) Bohman, Sarah, Andrew Lenhard, Brandon (Nicole) Skrzypchak, Brian, Melanie, Stephani Skrzypchak, Lisa, Jason Lenhard, Zachary, Danielle Lenhard, Samantha, Sabrina, Shana Riehle ; great-grandchildren: Cody, Kyla, Avery, Aubrey, Joey, Miles, Elliot, Devyn, Aysha, Piper, Ripley, Preston, Savanni. She is survived by her sisters, Christine Heier, Milwaukee; Regina (Eugene) Seidl, Hewitt; Mary Ann Condon, Milwaukee; sisters-in-law, Patricia Bangart, East Troy; Rose Bangart, Chili; Marian (James) Braun; Rita Schultz, Wausau; Dolores Lang, Marathon; brothers-in-law, Richard Spindler, Stevens Point, George Lenhard, Athens. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff at Well's Nature View Assisted Living for the loving care they showed mom these last years. She considered that her home and enjoyed the friends she made there. The funeral mass will be celebrated 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 28, 2009 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. The Very Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the church. Memorials may be directed to St. Anthony's Church or Ministry Health Care - Hospice Care. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com