Clara Schaap

Clara Schaap was born September 29, 1916 to William and Henrietta (VanderVoort) Kleyer in Chandler, Minnesota.  She attended Country School District 87 until the sixth grade, when she dropped out to care for her parents.  She continued to provide care to her mother and then father, while also helping on the farm, throughout her early life.  Not one for complaining, she took great joy in working on the farm and caring for her family while teaching herself how to manage a household.

Clara was united in marriage with William Schaap on November 26, 1940 in Chandler Minnesota.  Following marriage, the newlywed couple farmed land near Chandler and Leota areas for much of their adult life together.  Clara also worked diligently at maintaining the household, from sewing clothing for her family, to cooking some of the best meals her children have tasted to this day.  She also enjoyed the occasional joke, like turning on the electric fence to shock her darling husband.  Clara’s loving-kindness and nurturing attitude is remembered fondly by her children.

In 1981, Clara and William retired and moved to a house in Edgerton.  Clara became very active in the community as a member of Southwest Circles, the Senior Citizens Center, Bethel Christian Reformed Church, and Ladies Aid.  In her free time, she also enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family as well as continuing to cook and sew when she was able.  Clara entered Edgebrook Care Center on January 7, 2019.   

On December 2, 2021 Clara died at Edgebrook Care Center at the age of 105.

Clara is lovingly remembered by several children who are very grateful for having shared life with her including, Henrietta (Del) Hulstein of Edgerton, Arlin (Diane) Schaap of Brandon, South Dakota, Arvin Schaap of Brandon, Beverly Schaap of Brandon, Conley (Wanda) Schaap of Edgerton, and Charles (Diane) Schaap of Pipestone, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters Hattie Tinklenberg and Bertha De Grote; a granddaughter Dee Dee; and three step-grandchildren: Emily, Lori, and Brian.

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