Clara LaFaive

VISITATION:

12 - 1 P.M., Saturday, October 17 at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, 531 E. South Ave., Chippewa Falls

SERVICE:

1 P.M., Saturday, October 17 at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, 531 E. South Ave., Chippewa Falls

Her family's hearts were filled with sadness as Clara Josephine (Semanko) LaFaive, 94, died on October 9, 2015, at her daughter's home in Jim Falls.

Clara was born on March 29, 1921 in Cadott, Wisconsin to Peter and Mary (Zettler) Semanko. She was the fifth of fifteen children.

She married Vincent Charles LaFaive on April 1, 1940 and they soon thereafter bought a house in the town of Lafayette, Chippewa County. Throughout the next many years, their home was a gathering place for their large extended families, friends, and neighbors; where good horse shoe tournaments, good food, and good old time music was enjoyed by all.

Clara was a devoted, prayerful, and hardworking wife and mother. She loved the beauty of nature and all its animals and creatures. She always made sure her children had the love and companionship of a family dog. Beautiful flower gardens adorned her yard as well as many bird feeders and bird baths. She could identify each kind of bird by sight and also by the song each sang. She loved camping and fishing, playing cards, and going to polka dances. She had hundreds of old songs she loved singing. "You Are My Sunshine" was her favorite song of all.

Clara is survived by son, Leonard (Eileen) LaFaive of Chippewa Falls; daughters, Mary Ann (Gene) Flodeen of Menomonie, Eileen Bowe of Scottsdale, AZ, and Sharman (Al) Balsiger of Jim Falls; daughter-in-law, Mary Jane (Marty) Green of Eau Claire; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; six step grandchildren; 13 step great-grandchildren; and two step great-great-grandchildren. Clara is further survived by one sister, Norma Blessing; sisters-in-law, Bernice Loew, Joanne (Dale) Ritter, Mrs. Claude Semanko, Mrs. Paul Semanko, Mrs. David Semanko, Mrs. Eugene Semanko; and 93 nieces and nephews.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Vincent LaFaive on August 29, 1983; their son, Roger on February 22, 1974; their daughter, Lucinda Steinmentz on May 22, 2002; a grandson, Vincent Steinmetz on June 25, 1990; son-in-law, Linus Bowe on May 9, 2009; and a granddaughter, Tonia Stocking on September 5, 2015.

She was also preceded in death by 13 siblings: Clinton (Violetta) Semanko, Lawrence (Esther) Semanko, Roger (Myra) Semanko, Rita (Ervin) Knowlton, Claude Semanko, Joe (Amanda) Semanko, Alice (Charles) Peak, Paul Semanko, Rosemary (Philip) Sonnentag, Lucy (Vilas) LaRose, Dan (Margareta) Semanko, David Semanko, and Eugene Semanko.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 17 at Chippewa Valley Bible Church, 531 E. South Ave., Chippewa Falls, with the Rev. Jim Woldhuis officiating. Interment will follow at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Cadott.

A visitation gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.