Clara LaPointe

BREITUNG TOWNSHIP - Clara (Wender) LaPoint, 88, of Upper Pine Creek, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at ManorCare Health Services in Kingsford. She was born to Polish immigrant parents, Samuel and Anna Bilski, on Oct. 31, 1919, the youngest of eight children which included Katie, Anton, Margaret, Angeline, Julia, Louis, Edward, all of which preceded her in death. Clara was raised on the Bilski farm until her late teen years, then during the Depression moved to Winnetka, Ill. where she secured a position as a nanny. From there, she joined her sisters Julia and Margaret in Detroit where she worked in the auto manufacturing plants, filling in as many women did, as part of the World War II effort. She returned home to marry Edward Wender in 1947. Together they had four children, Nancy (John) Daley of Iron Mountain, Diane (Dave) Pontrelli of Missoula, Mont., Tom Wender and Jim (Bernie) Wender of Pine Creek. Edward preceded her in death in 1961. Her children would make her a proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Clara had a long career as the credit manager at Montgomery Ward until their closing. She then worked for The Drug Store for many years, finally retiring at the age of 82. In 1978, she married Leslie LaPoint and Clara became "Grandma" to all the LaPoint grandchildren as well. Les passed away in May of 2006. They resided in Pine Creek where Clara took pride in her abundant vegetable garden, perennial flowers and her uncanny knack for cultivating lady slippers and other wildflowers. She loved picking berries, making delicious jams, antiquing and was an avid fan of the many football teams her children and grandchildren were involved with, both at the high school and college level. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at Erickson- Rochon and Nash Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. Rev. David Anderson will officiate In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established Condolences may be expressed to the family of Clara LaPoint online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home withe the arrangements.