1916
Clara
2008
Clara Lysaker
October 20, 1916 — May 8, 2008
Clara Elizabeth Tomhave Lysaker was born October 20, 1916 in Florence Township, Goodhue County, near Red Wing, MN to John and Ella (Vagts) Tomhave. She was their 12th child. She was Baptized at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frontenac, MN November 19, 1916. She moved with her family to Hager City, WI as a young girl where she helped on the family farm and in a country store plus cleaning and ironing for neighbors.
Clara was united in marriage to Clarence Swenberg March 27, 1937 in Mitchell, SD. They moved to Dundas, MN prior to moving to Detroit Lakes, MN in 1944 where he managed Lampert Lumber Company. He preceded her in death in April, 1963.
In March, 1957, Clara was hired to manage Fashon City, a ladies clothing store in Detroit Lakes, a position she held for 18.5 years. She continued in management at the Pamida fashion department for an additional 12.5 years. Clara was united in marriage to Odin Lysaker, October 10, 1984 in Detroit Lakes. He died in 1985.
When her children were in school, Clara was active in P.T.A. and instrumental in getting the Detroit Lakes Marching Band their first summer uniforms and also raised funds to send them on trips to Chicago and Winnipeg by selling Gold Medal Cake Mixes.
When she retired from Pamida, she started the "fresh flower" arrangements for St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary. She also worked for 10 years as a Senior Companion, retiring in 2003. She was named the Outstanding Senior Citizen for Becker County in 1999. She ahs also been active at First Lutheran Church on many committees, circle, and the altar guild committee for over 50 years.
Her interests included sewing, ceramics, bowling and baking which she shared with her family and friends. She especially loved spending many hours in her flower garden. The most important part of her life has been her church and her wonderful family. They have both kept her busy with baptisms, confirmations, graduations, wedding anniversaries and trips including two to Europe with the church choir.
She is surveved by a daughter, Sue Swenberg (Gene (Zurn) of Shoreview, MN, a son, Dr. James (Sandy) Swenberg of Pittsboro, NC, 2 stepsons, Peter (Judy) Lysaker of White Earth, MN, Tom (Alice) Lysaker of Andover, MN, 3 grandchildren, Lori (Henry) Hartzell, Heather (Jason) Craft, Dan (Jen) Swenberg, 5 sttep grandchildren, Kris (Derek) Schiller, Kary (Bill) Magruder, Kassy Lysaker, Rebekah (Dave) Ditter, Jesica Lysaker. 5 great grandchildren, Sarah Almquist, Michelle Giddings, Nichole Rondeau, Stephen Rondeau, Brandon Craft, two brothers: Walter (Alice) Tomhave of Austin, MN, Alfred (Dorothea) Tomhave of Red Wing, MN, many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Debbie Rondeau, a great grandson, Tony Rondeau, her parents, 6 brothers and 5 sisters.
Clara was united in marriage to Clarence Swenberg March 27, 1937 in Mitchell, SD. They moved to Dundas, MN prior to moving to Detroit Lakes, MN in 1944 where he managed Lampert Lumber Company. He preceded her in death in April, 1963.
In March, 1957, Clara was hired to manage Fashon City, a ladies clothing store in Detroit Lakes, a position she held for 18.5 years. She continued in management at the Pamida fashion department for an additional 12.5 years. Clara was united in marriage to Odin Lysaker, October 10, 1984 in Detroit Lakes. He died in 1985.
When her children were in school, Clara was active in P.T.A. and instrumental in getting the Detroit Lakes Marching Band their first summer uniforms and also raised funds to send them on trips to Chicago and Winnipeg by selling Gold Medal Cake Mixes.
When she retired from Pamida, she started the "fresh flower" arrangements for St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary. She also worked for 10 years as a Senior Companion, retiring in 2003. She was named the Outstanding Senior Citizen for Becker County in 1999. She ahs also been active at First Lutheran Church on many committees, circle, and the altar guild committee for over 50 years.
Her interests included sewing, ceramics, bowling and baking which she shared with her family and friends. She especially loved spending many hours in her flower garden. The most important part of her life has been her church and her wonderful family. They have both kept her busy with baptisms, confirmations, graduations, wedding anniversaries and trips including two to Europe with the church choir.
She is surveved by a daughter, Sue Swenberg (Gene (Zurn) of Shoreview, MN, a son, Dr. James (Sandy) Swenberg of Pittsboro, NC, 2 stepsons, Peter (Judy) Lysaker of White Earth, MN, Tom (Alice) Lysaker of Andover, MN, 3 grandchildren, Lori (Henry) Hartzell, Heather (Jason) Craft, Dan (Jen) Swenberg, 5 sttep grandchildren, Kris (Derek) Schiller, Kary (Bill) Magruder, Kassy Lysaker, Rebekah (Dave) Ditter, Jesica Lysaker. 5 great grandchildren, Sarah Almquist, Michelle Giddings, Nichole Rondeau, Stephen Rondeau, Brandon Craft, two brothers: Walter (Alice) Tomhave of Austin, MN, Alfred (Dorothea) Tomhave of Red Wing, MN, many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Debbie Rondeau, a great grandson, Tony Rondeau, her parents, 6 brothers and 5 sisters.
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