Clara Henry

Clara Julia Sheppard was born on July 30, 1922 to Joseph and Laura (nee Arnold) Sheppard in Mantorville, MN. Clara graduated from Mantorville High School in 1940. She married John Thomas Henry on August 27, 1941 in Rochester MN. Clara and Tom farmed in Cherry Grove Township, Goodhue County. She and Tom often went dancing in the 1940's. Clara cared for Tom when he was ill with emphysema in the 1970's. After he passed in 1974, she sold the farm and moved to Pine Island. Clara also worked at Telex and Dayton's from the 1960's to the 1990's. Clara met Richard McGowan after she moved to Pine Island; they traveled together, went dancing and married on January 6, 1996. Clara believed in being involved in the community. She served on the Pine Island Methodist Council for many years and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Clara came from a close family of ten children, they often gathered for holidays and birthdays. She loved holidays and having her children home. She decorated extensively for every holiday. After Clara retired she made lots of banana bread and chocolate chip cookies. She always wanted cookies ready for her two grandsons. But the joy of her final years was having a great-grandson; she smiled every time she saw him or a picture of him.
Clara is survived by her children, Carolyn Johnson, Richard (Vonna) Henry, Bruce (Mary) Henry and Cindy Henry; two grandsons, Matthew (Liz Larson) Johnson, and Ryan (Missy) Henry and one cherished great-grandson William Henry.
Clara was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, four sisters, Irene Streiff, Iris Scheisser, Mavis Kienlen and Lois Salley; five brothers, Herbert, Neil, Howard, Floyd, and Marvin Sheppard; and son-in-law Thomas Johnson.
Memorials are preferred to American Diabetes Association or Pine Island Methodist Church.

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Visitation

DEC 2. 10:00 AM (CST)

Pine Island United Methodist Church
Pine Island, MN

Memorial Service

DEC 2. 11:00 AM (CST)

Pine Island United Methodist Church
Pine Island, MN