Clara Wilkens, 90, of Grygla, died Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Lifecare Roseau Manor in Roseau, MN.

Clara Barstad was born on August 1, 1918 on a farm east of Grygla, MN the daughter of Peter and Pauline (Swenson) Barstad. She was born a twin; her brothers name was Verner. She was baptized and confirmed at Valle Lutheran Church east of Grygla. At the age of 13 Clara moved to Grygla to care for Grandma Hawkins at Ole and Alice Petersons home. Clara eventually got a job in Oklee as a telephone operator; she very much enjoyed this job.

When Clara was 17 years old, she met Melvin Wilkens at a dance in Fourtown. A wonderful courtship ensued, and the couple was married on October 1, 1939 in Grygla, MN at the parsonage by Rev. Anderson. To this union there were three children born, Marles, Janice and Dale. They lived in Illinois for a short time where Marles was born and they returned to the Grygla area where Janice and Dale Shorty were born, and bought a farm. Melvin worked the next 43 years for Marshall County and Clara enjoyed raising her family.

Clara loved to bake and was well known for her donuts, molasses cookies, pies, lefse, homemade caramel rolls, buns, and rolled out filled cookies. She also enjoyed gardening and picking berries. Starting in 1950, Clara and Melvin would take family to Washington every two years to visit family who had migrated for work during the 1940s.

She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN.

Survivors include three children, Marles (Bruce) Larson of Duluth, MN, Janice (Sheldon) Peterson of Grygla, MN and Dale Shorty (Kaye) Wilkens of Grygla, MN; nine grandchildren, Jodi (Kevin) Nelson, Jim (Wendy) Larson, Sherry Pebs (Steve) Dalager, Sue (Philip) Peichel, Kari (Perry) Collins, Kristy (Brad) Monson, Gary (Faith) Wilkens, Shawna (Chris) Jelen and Jennifer (Rick) Mosher; great-grandchildren, Lindsey & Ashley Nelson, Kylie, Maia & Maritha Dalager, Molly & Chad Peichel, Courtney, Kayla, and Stephanie Collins, Drew & Erin Monson, Dale & Sarah Wilkens, Colleen & Michael Jelen, Kassandra & Robbie Mosher; sister-in-law, Claire Barstad of Washington; a special cousin, Sylvia Sorenson of Thief River Falls; and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; brothers, Ed, Art, Bennie, Johnny and twin brother, Verner in infancy; sisters, Pearl Buss and Stella Barstad.

ORGANIST: Joy Nordby
DUET: Claras Granddaughter, Sherry Pebs Dalager & Steve Dalager May The Lord Go With You
SOLOIST: Claras Great-granddaughter, Lindsey Nelson Precious Lord Take My Hand
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: Softly And Tenderly
DUET: Joy Nordby & Marie Konickson On Eagles Wings
CASKETBEARERS: Claras Grandchildren, Jodi Nelson, Jim Larson, Sherry Pebs Dalager, Sue Peichel, Kari Collins, Kristy Monson, Gary Wilkens, Shawna Jelen, Jennifer Mosher
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: The kind and caring staff at Lifecare Roseau Manor