Clara Meyer

Clara Meyer, 104, of Baileyville, died early Wednesday morning May 9, 2007, at Life Care Center in Seneca.
     She was born November 24, 1902 in St. Benedict, KS to John and Philomina Haug. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in St. Benedict graduating from the 9th grade. She helped on the family farm, and as a young girl did domestic work for area families.
     She married Henry H. Meyer on April 23, 1924 at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived on a farm north of Baileyville, where they raised 10 children, retiring from the farm in 1965. Henry died September 11, 1976.
    As a child, Clara played the pipe organ at St. Mary’s Church and accompanied the school children on the piano. She was a proud homemaker, raising a large garden and sewing for her family. She was a rosary leader and a quilter at the church and a rosary volunteer at the nursing home. Clara enjoyed crocheting, quilting, playing cards, Scrabble, Bingo, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, playing the piano, traveling to every state in the continental United States, and an occasional trip to the casino. She also loved to do mission work. Clara especially cherished her large family and loved having them come and visit. Everyone loved her homemade bread and pastries. She also made a few wedding cakes for family and friends.
     She was a member of Sacred Heart Church of Baileyville, the Altar Society, the Benedictine Oblates, the Neighborhood Pinochle Club, and the Ladies Card Club. Clara was politically conscientious and voted in every major election.
    She is survived by her four sons, Vernis of Granger, IA, Donald of Axtell, Clarence of Soldier, and Kenny of Baileyville; six daughters, Sister Mary John of Clyde, MO, Elaine Meyer of Baileyville, Marilyn Holthaus of Seneca, Dolores Saggars of Olathe, Kathy Buessing of Axtell, and Jan Tomlinson of Basking Ridge, NJ; a brother, Melvin Haug of Seneca; a sister, Armella Schmits of Seneca; 37 grandchildren; 90 great-grandchildren, and four great-great- grandchildren.
      She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mildred in 1934; a great grandson, Bart Steele in April 2000; four brothers, Lawrence, Pete, Aloysius, and Ambrose; and a sister, Ursula Lueger.
     Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 AM Saturday at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed on Friday at 2 PM at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, and also at 7 PM at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.
     Memorials may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and sent in care of the family.