Clara Reuschel

Clara May McKiernan Reuschel passed away January 19, 2024, in Wichita Falls, Texas at the age of 90. Clara was born in Belleville, Illinois on May 9, 1933, to Essie May and William James McKiernan, an Air Force Master Sergeant who fought in WWII. On November 25, 1952, Clara married Rudolph Arthur Reuschel Jr., and they had three children together, William, Roberta, and Rudy Reuschel. Shortly after the birth of Rudy, Rudolph passed away in a tragic accident in June of 1957. On November 4, 1963, Clara married Billy Ed Murry and had two daughters, Mary, and Elizabeth Murry. During her early life, Clara believed her future was in business and took night classes at Amarillo College to achieve her goal. She later discovered that her real passion was working with people and not being confined within office walls. With this new passion, she took an opportunity to sell Avon products in 1983 where she was able to meet new people and later earned the title as District Manager. Her house was filled with Avon products and samples for herself and kids to try. While working for Avon, she formed many friendships with her clients. As she would sell her products, invites to having coffee and chatting about the latest neighborhood gossip became a normal occurrence with her newly formed friendships, which made it easy for her to enjoy her career and always come back for another visit. In 1985, Clara started working at Sears as a seasonal employee. During her time at Sears, she moved to Wichita Falls and accepted a full-time position at the location in the mall. After some time, a friend of hers who worked at Dillard’s convinced Clara to work alongside her and began working in the Children’s department where she would help style and dress her grandkids to the latest fashion trends! Her favorite department was Ladies Seasonal and there she completed her time at Dillard’s where she retired in 2003. Known for her pockets bulging with candy for anyone who wanted a treat while shopping, Clara always had a smile on her face, made people happy, and only found goodness in everyone. One thing Clara loved doing was working with her hands! She would frequently be seen in her flower bed planting, trimming, and watering her “nifty” roses. She also was skilled in the arts of crochet and porcelain doll making. Her handmade gifts of crocheted doilies and afghan blankets were most desired by her friends and family. One day, Clara was introduced to Eloise, a lady who had a porcelain shop. She encouraged Clara to try her handiwork in making a doll for her first-born granddaughter. She continued to make several life-like porcelain dolls, with handmade clothes, showing various facial expressions. What started as a polite gesture turned into what should have been a lucrative business and loved every one of her creations. Toward the end of her life, Clara found friendship at the Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation facility. She enjoyed sharing meals with her girlfriends, some funny stories with roars of laughter, and her favorite saying “you live and you learn”. She loved to smile and made others smile too. Laughter was her medicine until the very end. It made the dark times lighter and pain more comfortable. She loved being surrounded by her family and friends enjoying good conversation and company. Clara leaves behind her younger sister Norma Jean Sevigny (spouse Bill Sevigny) with numerous nieces and nephews. Her 5 children William Reuschel, Roberta Ortiz (spouse Willie Gilbert Ortiz), Rudy Reuschel (spouse Debbie Reuschel), Mary Waldo (spouse Jim Waldo) and Elizabeth Thomas. Grandchildren Reuschel Dodson (spouse Newton Dodson), Aaron Waldo, Geoffrey Ortiz, Jennifer Selin (spouse Cory Selin), Jamie Waldo, Trevor Reuschel, Tiana Reuschel-Riggs, Tyler Thomas (fiancé Tira Bost), Emily Thomas (fiancé Kelby Wade). Great-grandchildren, Logan Graham, Hannah Dodson, Robert Dodson, Nolan Selin, Eli Selin, Lucas Selin, Ryleigh Riggs, and Jamie Riggs. Funeral services will be held on February 19, 2024, at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home in Wichita Falls, Texas with Gilbert Gann officiating. Graveside services will follow at Quanah Memorial Park in Quanah, Texas at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Beyond Faith Hospice.