Clara E. De Zeeuw

CLARA EDITH De ZEEUW was born on May 1, 1924 to Karl and Anna (Bodesohn) Wussow on the farm in Pipestone County, near Cazenovia, MN. She was raised on the farm and attended Pipestone Co. District 68 country school through the eighth grade. In 1940, the family moved to a farm near Holland, MN. On April 4, 1943, Clara was united in marriage to Stanley De Zeeuw at her parents’ home. The couple made their home on a farm near Ruthton, MN from 1943 to 1954. They then moved their family to a farm near Lake Benton, MN. Along with helping on the farm, Clara raised their six children and took care of the home. In 1989, Clara and Stanley retired and moved to Lake Benton, MN. Stanley passed away on August 20, 1993 and Clara remained living in their home. In April 2015, she moved to Luverne, MN and resided at the Poplar Creek living facility. On Friday, June 15, 2018, while under hospice care at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage, Clara went to be with her Lord at the age of 94 years, one month and 14 days.

Clara was a member of the United Methodist Church. During her time in the church, she served as the UMW President for 15 years, UMW Secretary for nine years, sang in the choir, served as the church organist from 2001 – 2016, and helped with other activities. Clara also volunteered at senior centers and nursing home facilities with music and other activities. She enjoyed sewing, embroidering, quilting, gardening, and music. Most of all, Clara enjoyed being an active part in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives.

Clara’s spirit will live on in the hearts of her children, Janice Koedam of Luverne, MN, Dianna (Robert) Tomlinson of Luverne, MN, Gail (Leland) Sudlow of Godfrey, IL, Marlys (Walter) Zimbelman of Fullerton, ND; seven grandchildren: Linda (Bruce) Reisdorfer, Laura (Rodney) Richters, Steven (Christina) Koedam, Travis (Kirsten) Zimbelman, Ryan (Jessica) Sudlow, Rebecca Lenhart, Erin (Samuel) Yoder; 15 great-grandchildren: Brittney (Kurtis) Van Gent, Jeremy (Kylee) Reisdorfer, Brenton (Aimee) Richters, Kristen Reisdorfer, Brian Richters, Tyler Reisdorfer, Breanna Richters, Jonathan Lenhart, Tristan Sudlow, Willow Sudlow, Matthew Koedam, Aaron Lenhart, Morgan Koedam, Elle Yoder, Linnea Zimbelman; great, great grandchild arriving September 2018; daughter-in-law, Rosemary De Zeeuw of Lake Benton, MN; and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; daughter, Marilyn Burkard; son, Stanley, Jr.; sons-in-law, Stanley Koedam and Thomas Burkard; ten sisters and five brothers.

Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton.