Clara Greenwaldt

Clara Josephine (nee Lund) Kopponen Greenwaldt, age 89, died April 11, 2010, at Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes, MN. Clara was born to Albert and Anna (Peterson) Lund on November 28, 1920, in Becker County, MN. She attended school until the eighth grade at District 59, Spruce Grove Township, and in 1988 obtained her GED from Wadena Technical College. Clara was united in marriage to Matt Kopponen in April 1942. Matt was in the military during WW II so Clara worked in the shipyards in Portland, OR, for a time while he was gone. When he returned they farmed near Menahga, MN. Clara was a seamstress and worked for Munsingwear, Ringer, Co. and Homecrest Industries, Inc. besides working on the farm and being a housewife and mother. Matt and Clara had two children; James and Lois. Matt was killed in an accident in August 1965. In 1970 Clara was united in marriage with Ervin Greenwaldt of Bertha. They both worked at Homecrest at the time. They were involved in an auto accident in 1971 and Ervin was killed. Clara was involved with her church circle and ladies aid at Bethany Lutheran Church and the VFW Auxiliary in Menahga. She made many quilts for children and grandchildren, knitted and enjoyed music, especially her guitar. Clara is survived by her children, James (Sandy) Kopponen and Lois (Joe) Hallermann, both of Wadena; step-daughters Judith (Donald) Schlueter of Hewitt, Sandra (Richard) Baso of Eagle Bend, Linda (Blayne) Ferley of Parkers Prairie, and step-son Charles Greenwaldt of Menahga; grandchildren, plus great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; brother Edwin Lund of Menahga; and sisters Mabel Tomperi of Menahga, and Patricia (Ruben) Kyro of Detroit Lakes. Clara was preceded in death by her husbands, Matt Kopponen and Ervin Greenwaldt; brothers Sylvan, Henry, Alfred, Virgil, and Melvin Lund; sisters Eleanor Sorenson, Sophie Sakkinen, and Effie Baso; and grandson Robert Hallermann. Funeral services were held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Menahga, on April 14, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Steven Bruer officiating. Nicole Cuchna was the organist and Christie Meier was the soloist. Pallbearers were John Baso, George Baso, Christopher Lund, Bruce Kyro, Ray Kopponen, and Brian Zeller. Interment was at Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery in Menahga.

Clara Greenwaldt

November 28, 1920 - April 11, 2010