Clara Elizabeth Becker, age 101, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family on Saturday April 11, 2020. Clara was born July 19, 1918 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to Lena Van Treeck and George Van Treeck.
Clara was a graduate of St. George's Parochial school in Wisconsin. She co-owned and worked at the Ponderosa Campground in Presque Isle, WI that her and her husband built from the ground up. She worked during the war years in the aircraft industry. Before and after that, she worked as a domestic, a production seamstress for Ross Glove for many years, as a waitress for several businesses and many, many VFW and American Legion fish fries. She was a member of the VFW, DAV and American Legion's Auxiliaries. She epitomized the giving nature of many of her generation, both in service to her church and her country.
Clara moved from Sheboygan, WI to Sun City, AZ in March of 2000. Clara attended services at St Clement of Rome. She was a Eucharistic Minister both here and in Sheboygan at St. Peter Claver and participated in St Clement Women's Guild, Ladies' Social Club, the Oakmont Canasta Club, New Comer's Club and Volunteered at Boswell Hospital, helping the "old" folks as she called them!
You could often find Clara out on the dance floor, sometimes leading the dance line, in a serious game of cards where everyone playing had better know their stuff, or enjoying a good cold beer after a hard day’s work. She lived life to the fullest and was never shy about telling you what was on her mind. She inspired the best in people by modeling it in her own life.
Clara is survived by her son L.Mike Simmons, one brother Robert, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren and all the blended people, grand and great and great great kids and relatives that came along with living her long life, along with all the nieces and nephews that are and were a part of the large family she came from.
Clara was preceded in death by her husband Herbert A Becker in 1989; her husband Richard G Simmons in 1948; parents George and Lena Van Treeck.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Becker family.
