LANCASTER – Clara Marie Landon, age 94, passed away on Tuesday January 21, 2025, at Grant Regional Hospital in Lancaster. She was born in Werley, WI on November 11, 1930; the daughter of Norman and Addie (Gribble) Stephenson.
Clara was united in marriage to Leo Landon on September 7, 1994, and they spent 30 wonderful years together. Clara started working at an early age taking care of children. When she was older, she worked in Lafayette Indiana in management of a deli. She also was a teletype operator for Sears and Ralston. When her children were young, she sewed, and made a lot of their clothes.
A beautiful lady inside and out, Clara took pride in her appearance. She never missed an opportunity to get dressed up and do her make up, making weekly hair appointments a staple in her routine, even as she faced the challenges of aging. Her remarkable skincare routine remained a part of her life well into her 90s. Clara loved painting her nails and putting on jewelry.
In her younger years, Clara and Leo shared a passion for dancing and looked forward to their many wagon train rides, cherishing the fond memories of their trips out west. Clara also had a creative side; she enjoyed coloring, knitting, and reading books. She was an avid letter writer, often penning multiple letters each day in her beautiful handwriting to family and friends. Known as the family genealogist, Clara took pride in her ability to trace their lineage, a skill she lovingly passed on to her daughter Judy. With a spunky attitude and a zest for life, Clara was never afraid to speak her mind, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Clara is survived by her husband Leo; five children: Zelda Knight, Judith Hartman, Dawn Flynn, Norman Smith, and Kay (Tom) Smith-Carstens; 10 grandchildren: Ed (Karen) Butler, James Butler, Stephanie (Dan) Dwyer, James Knight, Jesse Corbett, Zachary (Kristine McClure) Flynn, Tanner (Samantha) Carstens, Courtney (Derek) Dohmen, James (Shaunestte) Smith, and Noah Smith; 16, great grandchildren; 22 great great grandchildren; sister, Lorna Garwood; 12 nieces and nephews; two step children, Jill (Sam) Schwer and Shelly (Jeff ) Alderson; five step grandchildren: Katrina (Jim) Edge, Rebecca Schwer, Everette (Hailey) Schwer, Jerod (Ana) Alderson, and Calaway Alderson; and 2 step great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Evelyn O’Brien and Nola Erbe; brother, James Stephenson; and stepdaughter, Gina Laury.
Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life for Clara will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday May 10, 2025, at the VFW Hall in Lancaster, with food and drinks provided.
Burial Services
Hillside Cemetery
Lancaster, Wisconsin