Clara Biehl Bonander

Clara Biehl Bonander, 91, died at 10:30 p.m. at her residence, 4837 West Shore Drive, Lake of the Woods, Bremen, Ind., on Saturday, December 6, 2003. She had moved to Marshall County in 1999, from Chicago, where she had lived for the previous 78 years. Prior to living in Chicago, Clara had lived in Georgetown, Ill., for five years. Born on March 27, 1912, in Indiana Harbor, Ind., Clara was the daughter of Herman and Josephine Rickman Biehl.

After her high school graduation, Clara finished two years at Crane College in Chicago, Ill.

On April 7, 1940, at Saint Martini’s Lutheran Church in Chicago –the same church where her parents were married– Clara and Erik Bonander became husband and wife. Erik died on June 1, 1983.

In 1976, after ten years of dedicated service, Clara retired from Time-Warner in Chicago.

Clara was co-founder and twice President of the Chicago All Hobbies Club during those years. She was also Chairwoman of the Annual Chicago All Hobbies Club Show from 1952 to 1966. The club had over 110 members from the Chicagoland area and Indiana. She had one of the largest collections of cat related items in the world. She was also the editor of the Chicago All Hobbies Club newsletter from 1952 to 1966.

As assistant editor of the “Friendship Traveleer Club Magazine,” which had an international readership, she served ten years, until 1962.

Clara was an avid pen pal with many people. Until her death, she remained a dear pen pal friend with Muryle Shurley of Texas. Clara and Muryle began writing to each other in 1942. She was only able to meet her pen pal in person once, in 1998, when she went to visit Muryle in Texas.

She loved all animals and had a special love for cats. For many, many years in Chicago, she was known to take in stray cats and was a dedicated caregiver to neglected animals.

Clara maintained memberships in various kinds of animal welfare groups, most of which were lifetime associations from many years ago.

Clara is survived by her “immediate” family: Freckles and Waddles, her pet dogs; Bernie, her pet cat and Joseph Fawcett, a dear friend.

She was preceded in death by her devoted and much loved husband; her beloved father and mother and two loving sisters, Emma LaVelle and Elsie Berry. Two pet dogs, Lucky and Tasha, also preceded her in death.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Clara’s life in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2003.

Funeral services will follow visitation Thursday evening at 8 p.m. The Rev. Norman Reimer, pastor of the Nappanee Missionary Church, will officiate.

Graveside rites will be held at 1 p.m., EST., or 12 noon, CST., Friday at Concordia Cemetery, Hammond, Ind.

Clara has asked that if anyone cares to donate to her memory, to please give to an animal welfare group of their choice. She said, “the animals will love you for it.”