Clara Stevens

Funeral Services for Clara Stevens will be conducted from the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Kenton Birtell, officiating. Interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Clara Stevens, 98 years of age of Holdrege (formerly of Funk, Nebraska) passed away on Monday, July 11, 2011 at the Holdrege Memorials Homes. Clara was born on February 9, 1913, on the family farm south of Odell in Gage County, Nebraska, one of ten children born to Fred and Mary (Adam) Riggert. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bremen, Kansas.

She received her elementary schooling at the Bethlehem Lutheran School, and secondary education from Odell, Nebraska, graduating from Odell High School with the class of 1931. Clara then pursued higher education at Peru State College, where she pursued her teaching credentials.

On August 30, 1937, Clara was united in marriage to John F. Stevens and to this union two daughters were born: Rhoda Jean and Rebecca Lee. The couple lived in Gage County for many years, where she taught school for ten years. After moving to Phelps County, Clara was a homemaker for several years and was employed as a clerk at the Funk Post Office until her retirement in 1976. She was an active member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and was also a member of the Mosaic Advisory Board. She was a longtime supporter and advocate for Mosaic. Her church home for over 60 years was Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, where she was active in many ways. She was preceded in death by her husband, John on January 3, 1992.

After retirement, Clara loved to volunteer at a nursing home and also delivered Meals-On-Wheels. Her spare time was spent in reading.

Besides her husband and parents, Clara was preceded in death by her five sisters and three brothers.

Clara is survived by her two daughters: Rhoda Claridge and her husband, Dennis of Lincoln, Nebraska and Rebecca Stevens of Holdrege; three grandchildren and spouses: David Claridge of Sutton, Nebraska, Daniel Claridge and his wife, Kim of Lincoln, Denise Meyer and her husband, Kevin of Lincoln; five great-grandchildren: Nick, Cody and Bo Claridge and Elsa and Owen Meyer; one sister, Alice Riggert of Beatrice, Nebraska and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Clara's memory and kindly suggested to the "Embrace It" Building Fund at Mt. Calvary.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.