Clara M. Sieleni

Clara Mae Sieleni, 92, of Lake St. Croix Beach, MN, passed away peacefully with the faith of God and surrounded by her family on July 8, 2017.

Clara was born September 27, 1924, at Fort Omaha, in Omaha, NE, to Henry and Gertrude (Matchinsky) Ciaciura. She grew up in Minneapolis and after high school joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at the Pentagon during World War II. After the war, Clara worked for Northwestern Bell. She married the love of her life, Edward Sieleni, on June 4, 1949. The couple started their family in Minneapolis and shortly after relocated to St. Paul. They moved to Van Nuys, CA, were they resided for 13 years. The family was blessed with four daughters. Clara cherished the opportunity to raise them and teach them everything they would ever need to know. The family moved briefly to Lindsay, TX, until finally relocating to Minnesota, living in Lake Elmo for a short time and settling in Lake St. Croix Beach.

Clara possessed a kind and caring heart and always put the needs of others before her own. She loved nothing more than being with her family and friends and was delighted by any opportunity to take care of her grandchildren. Clara was an excellent cook, fond of preparing large holiday meals for her family and known for her baking. Clara was blessed with a deep faith in God.

Clara will remain in the hearts of her daughters, Rosemary (Greg) Holmen, Margo Sieleni, Cindy (Mike) Conners and Denise (Neil) Clymer; grandchildren, Amy (Lars) Danielson, Michael (Katie) Conners, Jeni (Matt) Underwood, Monica (Josh) Cagle, Kevin (Hillary) Friend, Tony Holmen, Clarissa (Nick) St. Claire, Eddie (Chelsie) Clymer, DeNeila (Doug) Weisbrod, Tommy (Brittani) Clymer; great-grandchildren, Michelle and Makenzie Danielson, Grace and Emerson Conners, Ava and Adeline Underwood, Owen and Layla Cagle, Aubrey and Zachary St. Claire, Cathan Clement, Stonewall Weisbrod, Hayden Clymer; sister-in-law, Jeanne Sieleni; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Edward; her parents, Henry and Gertrude (Matchinsky) Ciaciura, brother, Hank Ciaciura; and many Sieleni family members..

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2017 at the Memorial Lutheran Church, 15730 So. Afton Blvd., Afton, MN. Visitation will take place from 4 –8 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Afton. Memorials preferred.