CLARA KATHRYN MICHELS

Clara Kathryn Michels, 98, of Fargo formerly of Munich, ND, died on March 23, 2011, at Bethany Homes in Fargo, ND. Clara was born November 3, 1912 to Peter and Mary (Helten) Zimmer in Munich, ND, the first of five children. Her mother died in the 1918 flu epidemic. She and her siblings were cared for by their grandparents until their father, Peter, married Hilda Hoffmann, a widow and mother of two young sons. The two families were joined together and in time seven more children were born to this family for a total of fourteen. The Zimmer family lived in a large house on a farm on the northeast edge of Munich (the home still exists today and is occupied by Clara’s nephew, Michael Zimmer). As the eldest, Clara had great responsibilities in helping her mother with the many chores associated with such a large family. The Zimmer/Hoffmann family has fondly tagged itself as a “Yours, Mine, and Ours” family and the words “half or step mother/sister/brother” were seldom, if ever, used. Clara regarded Hilda as her mother in every sense of the word and displayed this affection for her, especially by the care she gave her mother in her elderly years. Clara graduated from Munich High School in 1932. After graduation Clara worked as a seamstress in a dry cleaning establishment in Rugby, ND. Clara married Norbert J. Michels in October 18, 1939, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Munich, ND. Following their marriage, the couple farmed near Munich and moved to the city of Munich in 1957. To this union was born one daughter, Kathleen. They retired from farming in 1979. Norbert and Clara loved to travel and visited many states, especially the states where their son-in-law, Doug Scraper, was stationed in the Air Force. Besides helping with the farm operation, Clara also worked for a time as a school cook and a part-time clerk at the Post Office in Munich. Clara was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was active in Christian Mothers, Altar Society, Choir, and the care of the church linens and flowers. Since she was privileged to live so close to her beloved church, she attended daily Mass often. Clara was also active in her community through her involvement with the Munich Homemakers, as a 4-H Leader, P.T.O., Garden and Senior Citizens Clubs. She enjoyed attending school activities, especially with her dear friend, Marguerite Schuler. These two ladies were always front and center at every program or basketball game. Because of their love for the school children, these two ladies were invited many times to read to the elementary classes during the February reading month, and were given a special award for their service. Clara loved the game of bowling and bowled long into her 80’s. Clara moved to Fargo to live with her daughter and son-in-law in 2005 and moved to Bethany Homes in Fargo in 2006. Clara truly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved being part of their lives, especially when she lived in Fargo. Her face would always light up upon hearing stories of their lives and activities. Clara is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Doug Scraper of Fargo; grandchildren, Jonathan Scraper of Fargo, Shannon (Daniel) Hedrick of Fargo, and Josh (Rebecca) Scraper of Park Rapids, MN ; great-grandchildren, MacKenzie, Bridger, Hale, Gabriella and Julianna Scraper and Owen and Samuel Hedrick. Clara is also survived by seven sisters and one brother; Pauline Argenziano of Fargo, Marcella Artz of Minot, Rose Mary Steffan of Michigan, Margaret Haugen of West Fargo, Mary Frances Becker of Devils Lake, Sister Philip Zimmer of St. Joseph, MN, Agnes (Joe) Hanigan of Lincoln, NE and Eugene (Sharon) Zimmer of Colorado Springs, CO. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Roman Michels of Langdon, ND and sisters-in-law, Regina Hoffmann of Munich, Madelyn Hoffmann of Grand Forks, and Euphelia Michels of Burnsville, MN. Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert on June 18, 1993; parents, Peter, Mary, and Hilda Zimmer; five brothers, Roman Zimmer, Ted Zimmer, A.C. Hoffmann, Michael Hoffmann, and Rev. Joseph Zimmer. FUNERAL SERVICES: Wednesday, March 30th at 10:30 a.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Munich ROSARY AND PRAYER SERVICE: Tuesday, March 29th at 7:00 p.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Munich INTERMENT: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery VISITATION: Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Munich from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass.