Clara McGee
December 30, 2009

Clara Elizabeth McGee, age 87, died peacefully on December 30, 2009 at her daughter's home in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, from complications of a stroke suffered in August, 2008.

Clara was born in Elvaston, Illinois, on November 8, 1922, to the late William F. and Laura A. (Jackson) Fisher, and was united in marriage to Richard H. McGee on September 2, 1941, at the Methodist Church in Kahoka, Missouri. They were married for 63 years.

Clara was a 1939 graduate of Warsaw High School and was a resident of the Keokuk/ Summitville community for over 60 years before moving to Wisconsin to reside with her daughter and son-in-law in October, 2005. Clara was a wonderful homemaker, as well as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She supported her husband, Richard ("Dick"), in farming their homestead in Summitville for 51 years. While Dick served overseas during WWII, Clara worked at the Hubinger Company in Keokuk and later at Walgreens in Beloit, Wisconsin. During her daughter's youth, Clara volunteered as a 4-H leader for the Montrose Busy Bees, and was also a member of the Royal Neighbors for many years.

Clara enjoyed visiting with and entertaining her many friends, neighbors and relatives. She was a wonderful cook and spent uncountable hours canning and freezing the bounty from Dick's garden. Friends and family alike were nourished by her excellent home style meals and the warmth and hospitality of her home. She especially enjoyed playing cards and, in later years, looked forward to her weekly outings with the "girls." Whether a warm day or cool evening, she savored the conversations and quiet moments in the lawn swing under a shade tree. Most importantly, her love of family gave her a fulfilling and happy life.

Clara is survived by her two children, Diana (Joseph) Fleming of Fitchburg, WI, and James E. McGee of Madison, WI; two granddaughters, Laura Cook of Sun Prairie, WI and Julie (Benjamin) Folger of Naperville, IL; and four great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Linzy and Jacob Cook and Alanna Folger. Other survivors include three sisters, Vivian Shaw and Sarabeth (Clarence) Seibel of Beloit, WI and Dorothy Long of Janesville, WI, sister-in-law Jean McGee of LaHarpe, IL, numerous nieces and nephews, and her good friend, Betty Brown.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Richard, an infant daughter, Barbara, two brothers, Dale and Albert Fisher and a sister, Alice Stuessy.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at the DeJong's Funeral Home with the Reverend Dan Davis presiding. Burial was in Hickory Grove Cemetery.

Those wishing to express sympathy with a memorial may wish to consider HospiceCare, Inc. of Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

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