Clara Marie Danko, age 88 of Sterling Heights, died Friday, August 24, 2018 at the Medilodge of Sterling Heights. She was born October 3, 1929 in Hamtramck, daughter of the late Joseph Peter and the late Clara Mary (nee: Kallan) Kuhr.This past July 15th marked the first anniversary of Richard's death, the dashing young man who swept Clara off her feet and joined with her in holy matrimony to become husband & wife. Theirs was a love story that spanned over 66 years and was filled with so many wonderful memories as they journeyed together from their newlywed year's right thru to the golden ones. Along the way, their challenges were matched with victories,…and God was faithful in helping them build upon the comforts of home & hearth while raising their two beautiful children as they grew deeper in love with each passing day.Along with her duties and responsibilities at home, Clara was also part of the workforce in the years she spent as a clerk in the retail industry. With a comforting and confident smile and demeanor, Clara was a perfect fit for the retail arena and found great reward in exuding world class customer service to each shopper she assisted. Many of her customers were not only pleased with their purchases, but also in the quality and professional manner in which she carried out her work. They just don't make 'em like Clara anymore. When the day's work on the job was done, and the chores at home were satisfied, Clara enjoyed balancing things out a bit by enjoying some of her favorite pastimes,...some of which called upon her artistic flair and the example of her handiworks. Clara was noted for her hard working hands, but she often put them to use in creating some wonderful pieces of art as well. One of these venues was exacted through her talents as a painter. Possessing an eye for creativity, her subjects were always seen through the prism of her soul, and the end result was always a sight to behold. With a paint brush in hand and an open canvass calling her name, Clara could work some incredible magic that was often gallery-worthy. Her hands were also quite adept in the art of crochet as well. A bit more demanding in its nature, those little digits of hers could weave patterns of wonder that often resulted in a special gift for someone. And Clara was definitely a "crafter" in spirit. Instilled at birth, she embodied the heart and soul of an artist that emanated in many facets of her life. One of these was through the countless crafts she either made or acquired over the years, each an extension of the gifted woman everyone knew her to be. Whichever venue she chose,…painting, crochet or crafting,…they were all merely a sample of God's greatest work of all, His fashioning of a person like Clara who was created to bless others ~ which she certainly accomplished.Another of Clara's favorite pastimes was centered around gaming, but with a sense of the old style versions that came out of a box. Whether with family or friends, whippin' out the board games always set the stage for some wild fun and entertainment. Clara loved her board games, especially when it meant sitting down with her grandchildren over a game of Clue or Rumicube. Each were games that never grew old, and afforded Clara some of the greatest pleasures in life by creating the memories she would hold eternally. Yo Wings Fans,…y'all may think you've reached the pinnacle of fandom, but you'd be sadly mistaken. That honor belonged to Clara,…at least she would have told you so. And her favorite, Stevie Y would have backed her up. When it came to her boys in the Winged Wheel, there's been no greater fan than Clara as she was a fan from back in the Olympia days. Watching them as they exercised their skating and scoring prowess, she was always invigorated by their strength and skills,…especially when the fists began flyin'! Yes,…from the likes of Probert, McCarty, Kocur, as well as a few other known scrappers, Clara absolutely loved how the fights added that extra "oomph" to the game. There's not another sport like it,…and that's why she loved it so.Being the family Matriarch, this short bio just wouldn't be replete without mentioning Clara's wonderful baking skills. Though it was interesting that her cooking skills didn't fare too well,…yet she possessed some mad baking talents that produced some incredibly tasty sweet treats that made your eyes roll back in your head with delight. Of all that she baked, the one dish that stands out above all the rest was a Serbian crepe delight called, "Palacinke,"…or perhaps more native in its spelling, "Policininka." Imagine this,…a sweet, buttery crepe filled with cream cheese & cottage cheese just melting in your mouth. OMG,…is anybody, other than me, falling off the Weight Watcher's Wagon right about now? And that was just one of the many desserts and sweet treats she was known for throughout the years. All she needed was a stove, an oven, and the run of the kitchen,…then just step back and watch the magic unfold. And then came the Christmas Cookies which she truly poured her heart into, from the first one to the last. Christmas just wouldn't have been the same without Clara's cookies. Got Milk?So when she wasn't crafting, playing board games, watching hockey, or bakin' up something special, you'd often find Clara & Richard cuttin'-a-rug together and making the dance floor come to life. Nothing says love quite like watching a couple on the dance floor flowing smoothly and effortlessly in each other's arms, getting lost in the music,…and each other. That was certainly Clara and Richard, both of whom were smitten with dancing, a pastime that was a huge part of their life together.A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Clara truly was the Mother Bird of her nest. She was extremely protective of her family, yet was known for her outgoing personality and her desire to laugh and have fun. Having a good time and making lasting memories were the cornerstones of her foundation and the mantra that forged her path in life. Clara touched a multitude of hearts and souls in her life's journey,…and you knew you were loved by those Big Ol' Bear Hugs she'd dole out,…you know, the kind where you'd wonder if your ribs would still be intact afterwards. But you never felt more safe, nor more loved, than when Clara wrapped her arms around you in limitless affection. OK,…perhaps after those huge hugs when Clara would follow up her squeeze with a signature, "Kiss Bite!" If you got both a hug and a bite, you were golden!Clara leaves behind a warm and embracing legacy of love, one that is sure to keep her close with each reflection shared. She will be missed immensely and loved eternally. Wish we could see you and Richard, in each others' arms again, dancing on those streets of gold. Clara was the beloved wife of the late Richard. Dear mother of Jim (Denise "Ginger") Danko, and the late Kathleen Alexiou. Loving grandmother of Danielle (Kevin) Abadie, Anthony (Jessica) Danko, Eric (Amy) Alexiou, Melissa Ramirez, and great-grandmother of Kaden, Gloria, Cylee, Brianna, Eric Jr., James "J.P.," and William. Sister of the late Joseph Kuhr, and the late Frances Schlatt. Clara is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.Visitation for Clara will be held Thursday, August 30th from 3-9pm, with a 7 pm Scripture Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd) in Warren. Clara will lie in state on Friday from 9:00 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 9:30 am at St. Blase Catholic Church in Sterling Heights.Her inurnment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Please check back for the date and time of the ceremony. Please share memories of Clara at her guestbook above.
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