Clara P. Mielcarek (Wilding)

Clara P. Mielcarek, 87, passed away in the evening hours of April 25, 2025, in Littleton at ThriveCare Assisted Living, where she lived for the past 16 months.

Clara Wilding was born on July 28, 1938 in Pittsburgh, PA., where she grew up and  graduated from St. George's High School. 

While Clara worked secretarial jobs just out of high school, her efforts would ultimately focus upon being a homemaker once she married her husband, Ronald D. Mielcarek, who also attended her high school. They didn’t date in school, but instead fell in love after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. The two married in 1958, soon welcoming three daughters; Joyce Elaine, Nancy Jean, and Laurie Ann. 

As a result of several of her husband Ron’s job transfers, fate took their family from Pittsburgh to many U.S. cities – St. Louis; Bellmore, Merrick, and Hicksville, NY; Houston. TX; and eventually, Littleton in 1971. Clara lived in her beloved Littleton home in Columbine Hills with Ron until 2023 when the two needed to move into assisted living for health reasons. 

Clara’s greatest joy in life was doting on her six grandchildren, bestowing upon each of them loving acts to make them each feel special, including but not limited to making sure each of them had all the baked goods they could ever possibly crave. Their birthdays always featured her mouthwatering sugar cookies in the shape of whatever birthday number they were celebrating. Through the years, she and her husband Ron delighted in attending virtually every sporting event or activity their six grandchildren participated in.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Ron in 2023, her mother and father Jacob and Philomena Wilding, her brother Frank "Bud" Wilding, brothers-in-law James Vogel and Stan Mielcarek. and sister-in-law Rosanna Mielcarek.

She is survived by her three daughters -- Joyce (Steve) Smith, Nancy Fenimore, and Laurie Whittier, all of Littleton; grandchildren -- Skylar "Sky" (Nicole) Smith, Derek (Jamie) Smith, Leah Fenimore, Alexandra "Alex" (Kaden) Colby, Race Fenimore, Lucas "Luke" Whittier; and great-granddaughter Emery Smith; as well as three brothers, two sisters and scores of nieces and nephews. Affectionately known as Mom, Grandma, Gram and Great, she will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to experience her generosity, dedication and holiday soirees.

Clara’s ashes will be interred in the plot along with her husband Ron’s at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in a private ceremony. A celebration of life will follow later this summer where her family and friends can share memories and enjoy one another’s company.