Clara H. Michael, age 98 of Freeport, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 10 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church in Freeport.

Clara Henrietta Middendorf was born January 18, 1915 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Henry and Mary (Westendorf) Middendorf. She attended country school until 1926 when their family moved to Freeport. Clara then attended Sacred Heart School through the tenth grade and graduated from Melrose High School in 1932. She was united in marriage to Henry John Michael on August 24, 1937 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Clara was a homemaker who helped Henry on their farm. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport and the Christian Mothers. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed gardening and canning. Clara was a sweet, gentle woman who everyone liked.

Survivors include her children Jerry (Clara) Michael of Freeport, David (Cyrilla) Michael of Freeport, and John (Carolyn) Michael of St. Michael; son-in-law, Jerry Timp of Freeport; 19 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Michael in 2001; parents; daughter, Judith Timp; brothers and sisters, Fritz Middendorf, Elizabeth Brickweg, Joseph Middendorf, Henry "Hank" Middendorf, Jr., Josepha Hiltner, Aurelia Goebel, Anna Klaphake, Marie Heidgerken, Herman Middendorf, and August "Happy" Middendorf.

Serving as casket bearers will be Mary Muellner, Susan McGoldrick, Rachel Nilsson, Marisa George, Mike Timp, Jeff Michael, Josh Goering, Shane Goering, Jodi Solomon, and Ryan Goering. Cross bearer will be Donna Heinen. Scripture bearer will be Michelle Miller. Gift bearers will be Terry Michael, Blaine Michael, and Dean Michael. Readers will be Jason Michael and Joel Timp. Petitions will be read by James Michael. Eulogy will be read by Marty Michael.

Source: Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services