CLARA WANCE
1924 - 2018
Obituary
Clara Lucille Wance, 93, died Monday
(Jan. 8, 2018) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston.
Clara was born on Jan. 17, 1924, in
McPherson to Adam and Agnes Unruh Ratzlaff. She and her twin brother,
Clinton, were the youngest of five children and grew up on a farm
near Durham. Clara attended the one-room Columbia District 116 School
through the eighth grade. She was baptized in October 1940 by Pastor
John Eppy at the Friedenstahl (Peace Valley) Mennonite Church.
Clara moved with her family to Newton
in 1941. She married the love of her life, John Wance, in November
1947. John and Clara had three children: Janice, who died as an
infant in 1949, Susan Kennedy (currently of Barcelona, Spain) and
Steven (of Holden, Missouri). Clara had five grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren, who brought her much joy,
Clara and John loved planning family
summer vacations, often going far away via the Santa Fe Railroad.
Clara had a passion for visiting widows and shut-ins, making the
rounds weekly to those on her list.
Clara retired from the Bethel Deaconess
Hospital's dietary department in 1986. She and her husband then spent
the next 20 years delivering for Meals on Wheels. Clara also
volunteered on the Harvey County Election Board for 15 years. She and
John greatly enjoyed traveling during retirement.
Clara and John moved to Schowalter
Villa in 2005. John passed away in 2009. She was blessed to be
surrounded by an understanding and compassionate group of staff,
employees and friends.
Clara became a member of First
Mennonite Church in Newton in 1957. Clara's love for the church and
her faith in the Lord never ceased throughout her life. She looked
forward to heaven.
Along with her parents, husband and
daughter, Clara is preceded in death by her brothers, Wesley and
Clinton Ratzlaff; and two sisters, Hilda Mitchell and Frances Decker.
Memorial services will be held at 10
a.m. Saturday (Jan. 13, 2018) at the chapel of Schowalter Villa in
Hesston. Graveside and interment services will be held at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, followed by a luncheon at
First Mennonite Church in Newton. The family will receive friends
between 6 and 7 p.m. Friday (Jan. 12, 2018) at Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton.
A memorial has been established with
the Mennonite Central Committee; contributions may be sent to
Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
Condolences may be left at
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton.
