Clara M. Blau MERRIMAC — Clara M. Blau, age 84, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2017, at SSM Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, surrounded by her loving family. Clara was born on November 1, 1932, in Buffalo Township, the daughter of Andrew and Nellie (Schave) Priske. First and foremost, she was a mother to all—her siblings, students, foster kids, children and grandchildren. After graduation from high school, she received her teaching degree from County Normal in Columbus. Clara taught in two one-room schools, Indian Farm and Durward’s Glen, for six years. She married Edwin Blau on August 18, 1956, at St. Camillus, Durward’s Glen. Clara, known as the “Egg Lady,” was a very social person and always on the go. She cooked for 27 years at Durward’s Glen, sang in the church choir for many years, taught Catechism, was a 4-H leader, read to the children at Head Start and was involved with the Homemakers, the Deanery and Christian Ladies. She was also proud to volunteer for the Caledonia Township elections. She is survived by her children, Julie (Merwyn) Breneman, Barbara Blau, Richard (Michelle) Blau, Michael (Kelly) Blau, Denise Blau, and Valerie (Patrick) Cotter; grandchildren, Shelly (Jeffrey) Jenkins, Jacob (Shauna) Breneman, Nicholette Blau, Trevor Blau, Reese Blau, Hayley, Margaret, Grace, Ava, Erin, Olivia and Michael W. Blau, and Christina Gutrich; great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Mary (Jim) McFarlane, Alice (Don) Hagy, Tom (Judy) Priske, John (Dorothy) Priske, Helen (Michael) Kallenbach; other relatives and many friends. Clara was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edwin; grandson, Brent Breneman; brothers, Bill, Bob and Kenny. The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage House for their care and support these last few months. They would also like to extend a very special thank you to the staff at the MICU and Medical Surgical Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital for all of their efforts and special care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Hospital, 700 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53715. Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family. |