Clara Martha Giese, daughter of August and Martha (Podratz) Giese, was born July 4, 1922 in Rendsville Township in Stevens County, Minnesota. She was baptized on July 28, 1922 and confirmed on July 28, 1935 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church by Reverend Pilgrim. Clara grew up in Rendsville Township in Stevens County and attended School District #33 through the 8th grade. On June 17, 1941, she was united in marriage to Erwin Henrichs, Sr at the Peace Lutheran Parsonage by Reverend Pilgrim. For 46 years, the couple made their home and raised their children on a farm in Roseville Township in Grant County. Clara and Erwin retired in 1988 and moved to an apartment in Morris. Erwin died on February 11, 1992. Clara moved to Skyview Apartments in 1997 and in 2002, she moved to the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck. In 2003 she moved back to Morris and lived at West Wind Village, where she has continued to live until the time of her death.
Clara was a very active member in her church. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, milking her cows and being a housewife and mother. She especially enjoyed the time she spent with her family and friends.
Clara died on Friday, May 20, 2005 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 82 years.
She is survived by one daughter: Carrie Melchert of Morris; one son: Erwin ?Sonny? Jr (Loraine) Henrichs of Morris; two grandchildren: Kay (David) Storck of Morris and Brian Henrichs of Donnelly; seven great-grandchildren: Darrick, Haley and Mikaela Henrichs; Corey, Courtney and Karrie Storck and Shelley (Cory) Evink. She was preceded in death by her husband; one grandson: Steven Melchert; her parents and son-in-law: Delbert Melchert.
Pallbearers for the service are Gary Uphoff, Robert Kloos, Wallace Giese, James Kill, Clarence Giese and Brian Henrichs. Rita Lampert will service as organist for the service with Gary and Karen Uphoff serving as vocalists. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.