Clara Steichen

Clara Steichen, age 88, of Litchfield, died Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield, Minnesota. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield, with Father Joseph Steinbeisser celebrating. Visitation will be held from 5 - 8 PM on Wednesday at the Church of St. Philip, with a 5:00 PM Parish Prayer service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at Church on Thursday. Interment will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Clara Steichen, the daughter of John and Barbara (Weiss) Schaefer was born on September 26, 1923, in Roscoe, MN. She attended school in Roscoe, Cold Spring and St. Cloud, MN. At a young age, she worked to help support her family. Clara was united in marriage to Bernard Steichen at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in St. Cloud, on July 2, 1949. She was a nurse's aid while living in St. Cloud, and later helped with the bookkeeping for Litchfield Shipping Association. She was a member of the Church of St. Philip and active in the Ladies Aid. Clara enjoyed being a caregiver, and was an excellent seamstress and cook. She was talented in sewing, knitting, needlework and embroidery. She made clothing, including many wedding and bridesmaids dresses for her family and friends. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her apple pie baking marathons and for her Christmas goodie boxes filled with baked goods. Clara enjoyed baking, cooking, canning, collecting angels, fishing, playing cards, bingo, puzzles and spending time with her grandchildren. Clara is survived by her children: Linda (Dennis) Witucki of Silver Lake, MN, Tom (Lois) Steichen of Winston-Salem, N.C., Jane Steichen of Litchfield, MN, Judy (Robert) Fuller of Seabrook, TX, Ruth (Roy) Johnson of Heron, Montana, Berna (Tom) Gormley of Potomac, Maryland, Frank (Debra) Steichen of North Mankato, MN, Neal Steichen of Litchfield, MN and Mike (Lisa) Steichen of Litchfield, MN; grandchildren: Darrin (Jacqueline) Witucki and Eric (Kathy) Witucki; Kyle (Laura) Steichen and Jesse Steichen; David (April) Johnson and Daniel (Jolene) Johnson; Patrick Gormley and Caitlin Gormley; Thea Steichen and Cara (Andy) Kahler; and Jacob Steichen, Mathew Steichen and Adam Steichen; great-grandchildren: Carly Witucki, Cole Witucki, Brandon Witucki and Jase Witucki; Miles Johnson and Abigale Johnson; and Arthur Steichen; sisters: Madeline ""Tweets"" (Jim) Bastin of St. Cloud, MN and Dorraine Donabauer of Kimball, MN. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband Bernard, parents John and Barbara; infant daughter Mary Lisa; 4 sisters and 2 brothers.Previous Events Visitation Wednesday, March 28, 2012 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM St. Philip's Catholic Church 821 east 5th street Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation is also one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Visitation Thursday, March 29, 2012 11:00 AM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355