Clara Mae Hagedorn, 82, of Fort Branch passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021, in Evansville. Clara Mae was born in St. Meinrad on November 20, 1938, to Anthony and Edwina (Lueken) Peters.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John M. Hagedorn, who passed away in 2019; a son, Dean Eric Hagedorn; and a brother, Kenneth Peters.
Clara Mae was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church where she was a cantor and member of the Holy Cross Choir. Clara Mae and John were the recipients of the Bruté Society Award in 2007.
Before moving to Fort Branch, Clara Mae worked for Olinger Construction Company in Huntingburg. She worked at several banking institutions in the Fort Branch community for over 20 years. Clara Mae took pride in helping her husband, John, in maintaining the Holy Cross Cemetery. She was an avid Purdue sports fan and loved following her grandchildren’s many activities.
She is survived by her children, Paula (Dan) Kohl, Fort Branch; Gene (Julie) Hagedorn, Darmstadt; Kevin (GiGi) Hagedorn, Corpus Christi, TX; Laura (Jeff) Ziliak, Haubstadt; Tricia (Steve) Beeler, Lafayette; 15 grandchildren, Emily Leonard, Evan (Taylor) Kohl, Ella Kohl, Tyler Hagedorn, Hadley Hagedorn, Wyatt Hagedorn, Lahla Hagedorn, Reese Hagedorn, Mitchell Ziliak, Grant Ziliak, Austin Ziliak, Eli Ziliak, Zachary Beeler, Nathan Beeler and Matthew Beeler; and four great-grandchildren, Aislyn and Atticus Leonard, Leighton and Landry Kohl; sisters and brothers, JoAnn Olinger, Ferdinand, Eugene (Charlene) Peters, St. Meinrad, David Peters, Fulda, Daniel (Judy) Peters, Newburgh and Mary (Allan) Rowlett, Muncie.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, September 27, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Fort Branch, with Father Luke Hassler, Father Kenneth Betz and Father Christopher Droste officiating. Burial followed in Holy Cross Cemetery. Stodghill Funeral Home in Fort Branch was in charge of all arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 305 Walnut Street, Fort Branch, IN 47648.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at stodghillfuneralhome.com.
