Clare Kathleen Hollerich

Clare K. (Carlstrom) Hollerich, age 79, of Mankato and formerly of Good Thunder, died Sunday, July 27, 2008 peacefully at her home surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 31, 2008 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato with Rev. Peter Nosbush officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Good Thunder. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary with a 3:45 prayer service, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Memorials are preferred to ISJ Hospice.

Clare was born on September 30, 1928 in Mankato to Clarence and Katherine (Exner) Carlstrom. She attended Holy Rosary School and graduated from Good Council Academy in 1946. She then worked at Kresge's Dime Store in Mankato. Clare was united in marriage to John Nicholas Hollerich on January 17, 1948. They lived and farmed in Good Thunder for over 45 years and raised eleven children.

Clare was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Good Thunder where she served in all elected offices of the Ladies Society, taught CCD classes, and was a Eucharistic Minister. She also volunteered her time as a 4-H leader for the Lyra Merryworkers 4-H Club for 15 years. In 2002 Clare left the farm and moved to Mankato. Over the past several years she has spent her winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, spending time with many of her lifelong friends. She enjoyed traveling, reading, needlepoint, day trips to Mystic Lake Casino, and spending time with her 80-plus children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Clare is survived by her five sons, Larry (Maureen) Hollerich of Amboy, Kenneth (Suzan) Hollerich of Cleveland, Bradley Hollerich (fianc" Becky Sandmeyer) of Good Thunder, Richard (Rhonda) Hollerich of Waldorf, and Daniel (Deb) Hollerich of Brooklyn Park; five daughters, Debra Hayton of Stratford, WI, Maribeth (Dan) Wittrock of Waseca, Karen (Ron) Malchow of Amboy, Jan (Hank) Roelofs of Mankato, and Tami (Troy) Zellmer of Amboy; daughter-in-law, Connie Hollerich of Mankato; 34 grandchildren and their spouses; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Jacqueline (LeRoy) Honetschlager of Mesa, AZ; sisters-in-law, Rosanne (Norman) Carlson of Mankato and Martha Peterson of North Mankato; brother-in-law, Peter (Bernette) Hollerich of Good Thunder; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John in 1996; son Scott; granddaughter, Becky; grandson, Nathan.