Leuenberger, Clara Catherine

Clara Catherine Leuenberger, 103, of Ossian, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at the Ossian Senior Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian. Interment will be in St. Francis de Sales Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Monday at Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home in Ossian.

She was born Feb. 26, 1908, on a farm west of Spillville, Iowa, the daughter of John and Mary (Panoch) Loesch.  She attended Fort Atkinson High School. Clara was united in marriage with William Leuenberger on June 24, 1929, at St. John's Nepomucene Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. William and Clara moved to Ossian in 1933.

Clara was a homemaker, rug weaver, and quilter. She also worked as a store clerk at Wessel's Variety Store in Ossian for 26 years retiring in 1983.

Clara is survived by her children, Angela (Leo) Watts of Deming, N.M., Robert (Velma) Leuenberger of Cedar Rapids and Sister Mildred Leuenberger O.S.F. of Stacyville; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, William, who passed away June 20, 1955; one son, Cletus Leuenberger, who died in 1992; her parents; two brothers, Clem and George; and three sisters, Ann, Theresa and Ceal.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home in Ossianis handling the arrangements.

Condolences may be left at .

Published in The Gazette Feb. 5, 2012