Clara Landdeck

GOLDEN, Ill. -- Clara Pauline Landdeck passed away Saturday (Feb. 14, 2015) at age 104 in Aberdeen, Wash. She resided at Channel Point Village in Hoquiam, Wash., for five years and before that in Ocean Shores, Wash.

Clara was born into the family of Menne Gronewold and Reka (Lubben) Gronewold on June 16, 1910, in Golden, and was the 11th of 12 children in their family. She met Herbert H. Landdeck, who was the school professor for six grades at Immanuel Lutheran Parochial School and the organist for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Golden. They fell in love and were married on June 18, 1935, at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Clara accompanied Herbert to Wartburg Seminary, where he and his brother, Fred Landdeck, and his wife, Vora, were the first seminarians to enter their studies as married couples. Their son, Fred Ehme Landdeck, was born April 7, 1936. Herbert and his brother were ordained into the Lutheran ministry in 1938.

Shortly before World War II began, Herbert entered the U.S. Army Air Corps as a chaplain, and Clara lived with relatives and friends while he was stationed overseas during World War II. Herbert reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. When he returned home at the end of the war, he chose to resume his first career love, the Lutheran ministry. Their daughter, Jeanne Claire, was born Nov. 17, 1946.

Clara served with her husband in Lutheran parishes in Nebraska, Iowa, California, Wisconsin, Washington and Alaska, teaching Sunday school and vacation Bible school, working in the Ladies' Aid Society, and as a member of many church committees and groups. She was a member of Galilean Lutheran Church in Ocean Shores for the past eight years.

Clara was the consummate hostess who loved to entertain in her home in the old German style. Her home was her haven where she served many family meals on her fine china and crystal, enjoyed home decorating, cooking and baking, and visiting with friends and family. Fine needlepoint was Clara's favorite hobby, and many of her artworks adorn the walls of homes of family and friends. Clara was stylish and was known for her beautiful clothes and jewelry, and always wearing high heels, even into her 90s. She maintained her zest for life and went on her first cruise at age 95.

Surviving family members include her daughter, Jeanne Landdeck-Sisco, and her husband, William Sisco, of Ocean Shores; grandchildren, Lisa Gillin and her husband, Craig, of Issaquah, Wash., Andrew Landdeck and his wife, Mary, of San Marcos, Calif., Dr. Melissa Sisco of Chicago, and Navy Capt. Lee Sisco of Honolulu; great-grandchildren, Grayson Gillin, Samuel Gillin and Grace Landdeck; nephews, Larry (Norma) Gronewold, Kenneth (Deanne) Miller, Donald (Lola) Gronewold and Dale Gronewold; and nieces, Nancy Greene, Karen (Peter) Burks, Kaye Hamilton, Ruth Kemper, Gertrude Eicken and Lois Phillips.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert, and her son, Fred.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Golden. Interment will follow in Immanuel Cemetery, Golden, where Clara will rest beside her late husband.

VISITATION: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at Hunter Funeral Home in Golden.

MEMORIALS: Golden Historical Society, P.O. Box 148, Golden, IL 62339, or to Casa de los Ninos, 1101 N. Fourth, Tucson, AZ 85705.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home, Golden.

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