Clara Leuratte Whitman's Obituary
Clara Leuratte Whitman, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2016. Clara was born on October 24, 1926 in Cedar, Michigan to Florian and Regina (Galla) Czerniak. She graduated in 1944 from Holy Rosary in a class of 3. In 1954, she married Nelson Whitman and together they enjoyed over 20 years of marriage. Clara worked for Sealed Power in the 1950s, and in the 1960’s and ‘70s was the co-owner of Lakeview Motel in Ferrysburg. From 1978-2000 Clara worked at Steketee’s and Kohl’s as a retail clerk and also had her real estate license. Clara enjoyed playing cards, dancing, playing casino slots, walking, bird watching, music and her family. She was a humorous, fun-loving, spiritual, loving woman of God who will be deeply missed. Clara is survived by her daughter, Suzanne (John) Wisneski; grandson, Steven (Erin) Wisneski; great-grandson, Hayden Freye; brothers, Thomas (Emily) Czerniak, Joseph (Martha) Czerniak, and Florian Czerniak; and sisters, Martha Schaub and Louise (Tony) Nemeskal. She was preceded in death by her parents, Florian and Regina; brother, Claude Czerniak; sisters, Agnes Mikowski and Marie Skeba; and former husband, Nelson Whitman. A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at 10AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 495 S. Getty St. VISITATION will be held on Monday from 5-8pm, with a rosary being prayed at 7pm, at The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., 231-726-5210. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Harbor Hospice.
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