Clara Anita Amundson Lenderman, 95, of Lufkin, Texas was born January 26, 1929, in Bosque County, Texas. She was the daughter of Anton Amundson and Clara Pauline Christenson Amundson. She passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at The Joseph House after a brief illness.
Mrs. Lenderman was born on her parents' farm, attended Turkey Creek School and was a 1946 graduate of Clifton High School in Clifton, Texas. Soon after graduating, she moved to Dallas, Texas to attend Drones Business School and worked as a live-in nanny. It was in Dallas that she met and married the love of her life, William Benton (Bill) Lenderman, Jr. on December 20, 1947. While in Dallas, their daughter Bonnie Marie was born and in 1953, the family moved to Lufkin, Texas. Mrs. Lenderman took on the role of bookkeeper for their family-owned businesses for several more years while also welcoming the birth of son Glenn Ray and daughter Karen Denise. During this season of her life, Mrs. Lenderman remained a faithful and devoted mother ensuring her children participated in many extra-curricular activities. In addition to the children’s activities, Mr. and Mrs. Lenderman were able to enjoy travel to several domestic and international destinations.
In August of 1974, she began a second career as an accounting clerk with the Lufkin Independent School District. She retired in January of 1991. During this time, Mr. and Mrs. Lenderman purchased family land in Houston County and began a labor of love with improvements to create their very own cattle ranch. The fixer-upper house on the property became their weekend retreat, even though many weekends were spent working. Mrs. Lenderman enjoyed helping Bill with building fences, raking hay, and feeding the cows. Many family events also took place with all three children marrying and starting families. During their 60 years of marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Lenderman were blessed with eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Lenderman was a 65 year member of the Calvary Baptist Church that is now known as The LifePoint Church.
Mrs. Lenderman was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Clara Amundson, her sister, Marie Amundson, and husband W.B. (Bill) Lenderman, Jr.
Survivors include:
Daughters and Sons-in-law, Bonnie and Chuck Robinson of Lufkin and Karen and Mike Nathman of Cookson, Oklahoma; son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Laura Lenderman of Lufkin; grandchildren, Jennifer and wife Nan Robinson of Tyler, Forrest Robinson and wife Elizabeth of Houston, Amy Connolly and husband Tim of Port St. Joe, Florida, Nick Lenderman and wife Kristina of Humble, Sara Watson and husband Joey of Elkhart, Ben Nathman and wife Kaysie of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Katie and husband Jesse of Biloxi, Mississippi; one step-granddaughter, Kellie Farrell and husband Sean of Lufkin; fourteen great-grandchildren; Rhett, Reid, Evelyn, Brooks, and Camille Robinson, Commodore Connolly, Clara, Ahnika, Cooper, and Cody Padelford, Aurora Nathman, Katherine, Benton, and Jacob Lenderman; multiple other nieces and nephews.
The pallbearers are Chuck Robinson, Forrest Robinson, Jennifer Robinson, Nick Lenderman, Mike Nathman, and Ben Nathman.
Honorary Pallbearers are Chris Powell, Alton Lenderman, Barley Lenderman, Dennis Lenderman, Ray Lenderman, Keith Lewing, Tim Connolly, and Joey Watson.
The family wishes to thank the Joseph House and Affinity Hospice for the compassionate and excellent care of Mrs. Lenderman in her last days. Expressions of sympathy can be made in Mrs. Lenderman’s memory to The Joseph House 5783 FM 841, Lufkin, Texas 75901 or The LifePoint Church 4737 Ted Trout Dr. Lufkin, Texas 75904, or at gipsonfuneralhome.com.
Friends are invited to attend visitation on Saturday, June 1st 12:00-1:00 at Gipson’s Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 1, 2024 with the Reverend Cindy Doran and Pastor Mike Curry officiating. Interment will follow at the Garden of Memories Park.
Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com
Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.
