Clara R. Schlechter

CLERGY
Rev. Gordon Harris
Rev. Dawn Burnett
MUSIC
Organist ~ Shirley Orth
Soloist ~ Lorie Luke
“Does Jesus Care”
“Beyond the Sunset”
Congregational Hymns
Processional ~ “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Recessional ~ “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Dwight Vogt
Jim Frier
Ray Bertrand
CASKETBEARERS
Doug Vogt
Reggie Suess
Tom Suess
Gary Suess
Joe Bertrand
Paul Schlechter
Clara Rosa (Suess) Schlechter was born Thursday, December 30, 1915 on the family farm near Scotland, South Dakota. She was the seventh of fourteen children born to George and Magdaline (Heihn) Suess. She was baptized on March 5, 1916 at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Scotland. She attended country school through the 8th grade. As a teenager, she did housekeeping for families, especially those with new babies. A favorite job was this role in the home of their pastor. Clara was united in marriage to Ruben F. Schlechter on September 1, 1936 at Ebenezer Reformed Church in Scotland. After their marriage, they moved to a farm in Hutchinson County and Clara was a devoted farm wife and homemaker. She raised ducks and geese that were butchered for food and feathers used for pillows and featherbeds; chickens were raised for food and eggs. She was a fantastic cook and meticulous housekeeper. She helped with all of the family chores including a large garden with much canning. She found relaxation in her needlework, including many elaborately embroidered quilts. After her marriage, Clara joined the Congregational Church to which Ruben belonged and spent her life living what Jesus taught in His word. She taught Sunday School, played piano for services, was a kitchen helper, and was involved in church functions as long as she was able. Following her life on the farm, she retired to a cozy little home in Scotland before moving to assisted living in Sioux Falls in 2002. Clara passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Covington Heights in Sioux Falls, having attained the age of 95 years, 2 months and 5 days.
Clara’s memory will be cherished by her daughter, Rita C. (Donald) Vogt of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren: Dwight D. (Kathy) Vogt of Kansas City, Missouri, Douglas A. Vogt of Sioux Falls, and Noelle Schlechter of Yankton;  a great-grandson, Paul D. Vogt of Kansas City, Missouri; two brothers: Ed (Irene) Suess of Freeport, Illinois and Al Suess of Sioux Falls; two sisters: Elda Juhnke of Columbus, Nebraska and Ella Bertrand of Scotland; a sister-in-law, Eva Suess of Freeport, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews.  
In addition to her parents, George and Magdaline Suess, Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Ruben Schlechter; a son and daughter-in-law, Larry R. and Linda (Hanson) Schlechter; Larry’s stillborn twin brother, Gary G. Schlechter; seven brothers: Hugo, Ruben, Arthur, Emil, Alvin, Harold, and Loren; and two sisters: Martha and Esther.