Post Messenger Recorder -

Clara Lucille Strommen, age 91, formerly of Blanchardville, peacefully went home to the Lord on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at Crestridge in Dodgeville.  She was born on March 9, 1925, in Mount Horeb to Fred and Rose (Rettemund) Wittwer. 

Clara grew up on the family farm, helping with chores and working with her family.  She attended school in Mount Horeb, where she graduated from High School, and then attended the Platteville Teachers College for two years to earn her teaching license.  In a two-room schoolhouse in Mount Vernon, Wisconsin, she taught with her sister Laura being on the right side and Clara on the left. What a teaching duo they became. That duo continued into the Mount Horeb School system with Clara's final years teaching 4th grade at the Ridgeview school in the country.  Clara's love for reading and teaching was evident throughout her entire teaching career.  She was married to Vernus Elmore Strommen on August 28, 1949, in the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mount Horeb.  They lived on the Strommen family farm for all their working years where Clara worked side by side with Vernus and the family.  In retirement they built a home just south of Blanchardville where they lived for many years.  She was a member of the Blanchardville Lutheran Church, which recently became New Hope Lutheran.  Clara played softball as a younger woman and became an avid bowler most of her life. She loved card playing, especially Euchre, Horse & Pepper, Pinochle and Jass, and was an avid fan of the sporting events her family was involved with attending almost every game, Pec-Argyle football in the fall, Barneveld girl's basketball in the winter, and Pecatonica baseball in the spring, and recently Barneveld boys basketball this past year to watch her grandson, Matthew.  Clara had a zest for life that was an inspiration for many.  Her love for her family, a Wittwer gathering for any occasion, and her Swiss heritage was undeniably true.

Clara is survived by three children, Ron Strommen of Blanchardville, James (Sandy) Strommen of Mount Horeb, and Rosann (Jim) Myers of Blue Mounds; one grandchild, Matthew Myers of Blue Mounds; three step-grandchildren, Amy Carr, Craig Anderson and Angie Hendrickson; ten step-great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Christopherson, Lenore Strommen and Jean Wittwer; one brother-in-law, Al Lee. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Vernus, who died on November 23, 2000; eight siblings, Ed Wittwer, Willie Wittwer, Al Wittwer, Rose Fankhauser, Margaret Docken, Laura Norslein, John Wittwer and Freida Lee.

A visitation for Clara Strommen was held Monday, June 20, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at the New Hope Lutheran Church in Blanchardville.  A funeral service followed at 7:00 p.m., in the church.  Rev. Michelle Elfers of the church will officiate.  Burial is in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. 

The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family.  Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at http://www.saetherfuneralhome.com.