Clara Lysne

Clara L. Lysne, 99, a resident of Fergus Falls formerly of Wendell, died Friday, January 16, 2015 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls under the care of Pioneer staff and Hospice.

Clara Lena Lysne was born on February 10, 1915, the daughter of George and Rosina Weigand, in Lawrence Township, Grant County, MN. She attended District 28 country school. Following completion of the seventh grade, she was encouraged to take the eighth grade exams as well, which she also passed. Having received an eighth grade diploma without actually attending eighth grade classes, she then enrolled in high school in Elbow Lake. She completed the ninth grade and then returned to live with her parents on their farm west of Wendell.

In 1934 she was united in marriage to Edwin Lysne in Sisseton, SD. The couple lived in Valley City, ND and Wadena, MN until 1942 when they purchased their farm in Stony Brook Township, Grant County, MN. To this union, three sons were born. Together they farmed the land, raised their family and tended a garden, which included a large strawberry patch, until their retirement. In 1988 they moved to their home in Wendell. Edwin died in 1989 and she remained in their home until 2007 when she moved to an apartment in the Park Gardens Senior Living residence in Fergus Falls.

Clara enjoyed crocheting, making quilts, baking, Bingo, playing cards and always the company of family and friends. Despite being of German descent, Clara made great lefse, rosettes and krumkake, and was known for her apple pies, donuts and all the other kinds of delicious sweets. Opening day of duck hunting brought with it a houseful of hunters and she fed everyone, including extra family members that came to join the fun. Clara leaves many beautiful pieces of crocheting as her legacy, including table cloths, doilies, framed family names and a bedspread.

While Clara spent the majority of her marriage as a homemaker, she was hired by a family to be an evening caretaker for their elderly father in a nursing home in Elbow Lake, a role to which she was perfectly suited. She continued in this position for several years.

Clara is survived by her three sons, Duane (Darlene) Lysne of Perham, Harlan (Judy) Lysne of Fergus Falls and Lourn (Sylvia) Lysne of Clear Lake, SD; four grandchildren, Dean (Teresa) Lysne, Tom (Karstin) Lysne, Sara Lysne and Jennifer Lysne; eight great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Hanna, Mia, Mariya, Chantelle, Dylan, Nevaeh, Joshua; great great-grandchild, Anton, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was her parents; husband; sisters, Emma Gehrke, Bertha Weigand, Rosella Gehrke, Martha Lohse, Louise Christenson, Mary Fjosne and Lena Greeley; brothers, William, George, John, Fred and August Weigand.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Rock Prairie Lutheran Church.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Celebration of Life: 2 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2015 at Rock Prairie Lutheran church, rural Wendell
Clergy: Reverend Robert Dahl and Reverend Jeffrey King
Interment: Rock Prairie Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wendell, MN
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.