Clara Meyerhoff

Clara Alwina Meyerhoff, 97, Linn, died Friday, June 29, 2007 at the Linn Community Nursing Home. She was born July 29, 1909 to Frederick and Katherine (Haverkamp) Koplin of rural Greenleaf. She was baptized on August 22, 1909 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Barnes, by the Rev. H.D. Wagner. Clara attended Chapman Grade School and St. Peter’s Lutheran School, Barnes. She was confirmed on May 20, 1923 at St Peter’s Lutheran Church by Rev. Otto Keller. As many young girls did at that time, Clara did housework and cared for young children for families in the area for her first employment. The she joined her older sister in Lincoln, NE, where she held various jobs including baking pies for a hotel and being a hostess in a tea room. Coming back to Kansas she and her Younger sister were employed by Swifts in Clay Center where they candled eggs. Clara was united in marriage to Ernest Meyerhoff on August 18, 1931 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Barnes. The couple was blessed with two children, Dolores and LaVern. Clara and Ernest lived on a farm southeast of Palmer from the time of their marriage until 1977 when they moved to Linn. They became members of Zion Lutheran Church. During her lifetime Clara liked to work outside, especially in the vegetable garden on the farm and with her flowers in town. On the farm she also cared for a large flock of chickens. Clara enjoyed her grandchildren and felt a special joy as she held each of her new great grandchildren She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest, June 7, 1991; four brothers, Henry, Lawrence, Walter, and Edgar Koplin; and two sisters, Elsie Hohman and Bertha Ott. She is survived by her daughter, Dolores Lang and husband Ralph, Wichita; her son LaVern and wife Sue, Linn; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; two brothers, Louis Koplin , Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and Dr. Ivan Koplin and wife Julia of Caney, KS; and a sister in law, Blanche Koplin, Atlanta, Ga. Funeral service for Clara was held at 10:30 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Linn on July 2, 2007. Pastor David Gruoner officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Casket bearers were Kevin Meyerhoff, Dean Lang, Mark Meyerhoff, Steven Meier, Nathan Meyerhoff and Dr. Dale Hiesterman. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church Endowment Fund. Ward Funeral Home handled the arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clara Meyerhoff, please visit our flower store.