Clara Marie Mundschau

CLARA M. MUNDSCHAU (nee Schmitz), daughter of Peter and Rose (Gebhard) Schmitz, born April 16, 1916 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died Monday June 7, 2010 at Sylvan Crossings in Jefferson, WI. Clara married Elmer Antoine on June, 12, 1937, in Milwaukee, WI. Elmer preceded her in death on October 29, 1954. She married Joseph Mundschau November 12, 1962, in Jefferson, WI. Joseph preceded her in death on November 20, 1986. She is survived by 4 children; Father James Antoine, OFM Cap., of Lodge Grass, Montana; Arlene Douglas, of DePere, WI; Diane Veith (Edmund Sikorski) of Columbus, WI, and Marilyn Pongowski of Green Bay, WI. 4 step-children; Dorothy Dahms, of Menomonee Falls, WI; Joyce Belzer of Kennesaw, GA Steve (Peggy) Mundschau of Sweeney, TX and Donna Meidl of Spokane, WA. 5 grandchildren; Christine (Matt) Dawson, Michele (Howard) Ball, Kathy (Rohit) Shirole, James (Maggie) Douglas, and Michael (Kelly) Douglas. 13 step-grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 13 step great-grandchildren and 6 step great great-grandchildren; 1 sister; Catherine Gantner of Illinois; 1 sister-in-law; Elvera Antoine, of Belgium WI Many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Along with her spouses, Clara is also preceded in death by her parents; 1 sister, Marie Kraus, 8 brothers-in-law, 5 sisters-in-law, 2 sons-in-law, 1 step daughter, Mary Joan (nee Mundchau) Hatley, and 3 step sons-in-law. Clara was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, its St. Ann's Society and the Resurrection Choir. Clara worked at the Copeland-Ryder Shoe Company for many years and later was a housekeeper at St. Coletta of Wisconsin in Jefferson until her retirement. She was a member of the Jefferson Chapter of AARP and served as Treasurer and Historian. She was once awarded the AARP Volunteer of the year and represented the organization in the Gemuetlichkeit Parade. She was a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul in Jefferson from its founding in 1975 until July of 2009; she loved her work there. She also served on the Board of Directors for many years until her recent illness. Clara enjoyed keeping contact with family members' through family gatherings and frequent written correspondence which was her trademark. She enjoyed German folk music, reading, playing cards, and taking drives to see scenery and visit family members. She did beautiful needlework and has left many pieces for her family. She was also an avid fan of the TV show "Wheel of Fortune". Throughout her life she was dedicated to her family, to life-long learning, and to prayer. Her faith always sustained her. She was a living example to everyone whose life she touched. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday June 12, 2010 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Lake Church WI. Friends may call at the church on Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Clara's memory to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jefferson Rainbow Hospice, or Our Lady of Loretto Parish, P.O. Box 509, Lodge Grass, MT 59050. Schneider-Michaelis Funeral home in Jefferson is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences see; www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com/