Clara Grace Schraeder

Preceded in death by husband, Edward Schraeder; grandson, Scott Ebisch. Survived by son, Terry (Wanda) Schraeder; daughter, Cathy (Paul Ebisch) Schraeder; grandchildren, Emmalee, Max, and Rex Schraeder, Brenda Painter, Dayle Ostrowsky, and Elle Wade; 5 great-grandchildren.

Clara was born on August 29, 1928 in Galesburg, Illinois to Andrew and Zelma Lawrence. She was their only child. After her parents divorced, she and her mother moved to Omaha in 1933. She enjoyed spending her summers visiting her grandmother, Catherine Truckenmiller, in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Due to an injury when she was five years old, Clara spent three months in the hospital where she learned how to read with the help of the nurses and her mother. She attended Kellom Elementary School and skipped the second and fifth grade. She attended Tech High School and graduated when she was 16 years old. After graduation she went to work at United Airlines in Detroit, Michigan where she worked in communications. One of the benefits working for the airline was that she was able to travel around the country at a reduced cost. This started Clara’s enjoyment for travel. She returned to Omaha a year later and went to work for Cudahy Packing Company.

She met her husband Ed on a blind date and they were married on May 14, 1949 at the Wisconsin Lutheran Church located at 50th and Center Streets. They were married for over 50 years and had two children, Terry and Cathy. Clara returned to work at Sears and Roebuck as a bookkeeper to help support the family. Her last employment was at Farm Credit Association where she was vice president.

After retirement Clara spent her time traveling to Europe, Israel and Russia, attending a book club for over 20 years, facilitating a Bible study, volunteering at her church, going on mission trips, playing golf, teaching painting classes and spending time with friends and family.

Her memories include having only a basket of apples to eat during the depression, wearing dresses made out of potato sacks, taking road trips to the country, watching Terry play sports, taking Cathy to dancing lessons, holiday meals and the many pets in the home.

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Brenda, Dayle, Elle, Emmalee, Max and Rex and her great-grandchildren, Emma, Colin, Sofia, Coby and Logan.

She felt that any difficulty in life was just “a bump in the road.” She lived her life to the fullest and enjoyed the many opportunities she had, especially meeting many wonderful people along the way.

Private Family Burial. Memorial Service at a later date. Memorials suggested to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and The American Heart Association.