“I think I’ll grand”...
A true master at the Whist table... Don’t let her
humble gentle nature fool you, Clara was a force to be reckoned
with.
She was all about the journey and on the go. Whether it
was hopping on the Amtrak to visit the grandkids, road tripping
with her sister Florence to help decorate and paint wherever
they were needed or listening to live music and dancing. She
loved life. The chaos of a good old fashioned family gathering,
the laughter of a child, butterscotch pudding and a Hershey Bar
always put a smile on her face.
Clara married Hubert Drabbels February 2, 1945 and
together they raised their 3 children Karen Bichler, Donnie
Drabbels and Cheryl Contway. The family enjoyed summers at the
Cabin at Nelson reservoir, harvests at the farm and holidays fit
for a Better Homes and Gardens cover. She was known far and wide
for her delicious cinnamon rolls, fried chicken that was better
than KFC, the best apple pie, and her “scotcheroos”. “Are
you sure you don’t want a scotcheroo?”
She was preceded in death by her Husband Hubert,
Brother John Klotz, Sisters’ Isabelle Gust, Dorothy Broadbrooks,
Florence Sorenson, and Peggy Stanford. She is survived by her
brother Leo Klotz, her children, grandchildren Kara Ereaux,
Kevin Ereaux, Lisa Olson, Lori Mavencamp, Matt Mavencamp, Ashley
Drabbels, Tanner Drabbels, 15 adoring great grandchildren, and
her loving nieces Wendy Simanton and Leslie Mellinger. She was a
gentle, caring, compassionate, good natured human being. The
most beautiful. The family is truly devastated by the loss of
this dear dear soul. If she were here she would say
“Pull yourself up by the bootstraps. Clean those
windows, dust those light fixtures and make the most out of
every day”.
The final card belongs to the dealer. She stole our
hearts and in the end she took all the tricks...May her Whist
partners carry on every Tuesday and Friday in her memory.
Love You Grandma! Kara
A gathering of friendship will be held Saturday and Sunday evening at the home of Wendy Simanton 329 South 4th Street East. Rosary will be Monday, July 30, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Mass services are Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 10:00 A.M at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Malta Cemetery. Condolences for the family may be left at www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com
Sending my sincere thoughts & prayers for peace to Clara’s
family!! So many wonderful memories during my early childhood of
spending time with Cheryl & the family!
Clara was like a second mother, taking us to the farm to watch
the combines, to the pool to swim & diciplining when we needed
it!
Thank you Clara for those wonderful times! May you Rest In
Peace!!
We were surprised to welcome Clara to Mom's (Betty Drabbels
McLean) funeral in July 2005. We already knew Cheryl was coming.
Our thoughts are with Karen and Donny and the rest of Clara's
family.
Karen, Kara, Kevin and families,
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of Grandma Drabbels. She
was such a special, sweet lady for sure. You’re in our thoughts
and prayers as you go through this. Take good care, and God
bless.
From: John & Sherry Demarais
Condolences and Prayers to all the family.
From: Susan Drabbels Roberts
I was so glad that I got to meet Clara a couple of summers ago. Clara's father-in-law Matt was my Grandpa's brother. I wanted to go fishing in Drabbels dam but found out I was a little late for that. My grandmother was also Clara Drabbels and my dad and Clara's husband Hubert were good friends and first cousins. I just found a picture that my dad had of Hubert next to his car when he came home from the war. I would love to send it to the family if someone will get in touch with me.
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