Bucher, Clara M. Basinger (1871-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1972 Jan 6 p. 9 [bio]

Birth date: 1871 Dec 12

text of obituary:

Still Enjoys Quilting, Reading

Observes 100th Birthday

Mrs. Clara Bucher on her 100th birthday

FORTUNA, MO. — Mrs. Clara Bucher, a long-time member of the Bethel Mennonite Church near Fortuna, celebrated her 100th birthday on Dec. 12 at her farm home in Moniteau County.

Mrs. Bucher enjoys good health and good eyesight, so that she is able to piece many quilt blocks and also help with quilting. She lives with a daughter, Mrs. Bessie Warkentin. A sister, Mrs. Linda Bucher of California, Mo., stays with them during the winter months. Last winter they quilted 13 quilts, and since September of this year they have quilted four quilts.

Mrs. Bucher reads her Bible every day, and enjoys receiving visits from relatives and friends.

JOINING her for the birthday observance were four of her six children: Mrs. Warkentin of the home, Mrs. Fannie Senior of California, Mo., Mrs. Anna Gracy of Denver, Colo., and Rev. Delbert Bucher of St. Louis, Mo. Unable to attend were Mrs. Ella Adams of Waco, Texas and Rev. Elbert Bucher of Peoria, Ill.

Also attending were a number of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and other relatives. There are 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 10 step great-grandchildren, and six step great-great-grandchildren.

MRS. BUCHER received 190 birthday cards from relatives and friends, and a greeting from President Nixon. She also received a number of arrangements of cut flowers and potted plants. The Women's Missionary Society of the Bethel Church presented her with a three-tier decorated birthday cake, baked by Mrs. Elbert Lehman, and her sister also had a cake made for her.

Mrs. Bucher's daughter Edith died in June 1968 and her husband, Eli, died on Oct. 30 the same year.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Jan 10 p. 11