Clara Hardin-Reutter

Clara Hardin-Reutter, 91, of Gordon passed away on Saturday September 8, 2018 at Gordon Countryside Care in Gordon, Nebraska. Funeral Services were held at 10:00 AM on September 12, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church in Gordon, with the Reverend Travis Sherman officiating. Burial was held at the Gordon Cemetery.

Clara was born to Paul and Lydia (Harris) Eichenberger on September 23, 1926 at their home 20 miles northwest of Gordon. She was the third born of seven siblings. On December 4, 1938, the Reverend H. M. Roth at Our Saviors Evangelical Lutheran Church baptized Clara, along with her entire family. Shortly thereafter, she was brought into membership by the rite of Confirmation. She remained a faithful member as long as she lived.

She attended school through the eighth grade at White Lodge School, District 86. She then went to Gordon, along with her sisters to attend Gordon High School. Paul and Lydia took them to town on Sunday and picked them up on Friday. Clara and her sisters worked for their room and board by doing housekeeping and babysitting in order to attend school. She graduated from Gordon High School on May 25, 1944. In the fall of that year she moved with her family to Sheridan, Oregon, returning in January of 1945. At that time, she began working for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator at the Gordon office.

The soldiers were returning home from WWII and Clara began dating George Hardin on his return. The Reverend H.M. Roth married them on September 8, 1946 at Our Saviors Evangelical Lutheran Church. Three children were born to this union, Jerald, Kathryn and Carolyn. Clara worked alongside George and together they raised their family and built a farm and ranch operation. She was the perfect farm wife, pitching in wherever necessary to support the farming operation as well as managing the household. Each year she raised a large garden and many chickens. She enjoyed working in her garden, canning fruits and vegetables, letting noting go to waste. Everyone always knew they would have plenty of delicious homemade food to eat while they were there to work or visit and everyone was welcome at her table. Some in the neighborhood knew her for her wonderful cinnamon rolls. She could also get out and work the cattle or drive a grain truck with the best of them. Along with working very hard on the farm she also worked in town at different times. She returned to the telephone office again, until it closed when dial took over, and then worked at Mode O'Day, Gordon State Bank, and Stockman's Drug. She made many friends during this time.

When Clara retired she enjoyed quilting and was a member of Willow Tree Quilters. She made many beautiful quilts that were cherished by her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards and was a member of Playmore Card Club. Through the years she was an active member of LWML and Grace Lutheran Women's Guild and the Pleasant Hill Extension Club.

In 2004 Clara married Bob Reutter. They enjoyed retired life with friends and family, their church, traveling, and spending winters in Laughlin, Nevada. Bob has been a devoted husband and caregiver for her.

She is survived by her husband, Bob Reutter of Gordon, son Jerald Hardin (BeaLou) of Gordon, daughter Kathy Seifert (Rick) of Rapid City, SD, grandchildren Jennifer Archibald, Jody Stillwagoner (Joe), Jeff Thompson (Allana), Chris and Todd Hardin, great-grandchildren Sheridan Gerdes, Weslyn, Graeson, Kendra and Mekenna Stillwagoner, brother Russell Eichenberger (Rochelle) and sister in law Joan Hardin, as well as many nieces and nephews. Also mourning her passing are Bob's children, Kristine Brice, Keith Reutter and Kenneth Reutter. She was preceded in death by her husband George Hardin, daughter Carolyn Peterka, sisters Theresa Young, Dorothy Watson, Alice Turnbull, Helen Hansen and brother and sister in law Albert and Pat Eichenberger, her parents Paul and Lydia Eichenberger, as well as her in-laws, Robert, Stanley, Lloyd and Oscia, Scott and OraBelle, Clifford and Doris Hardin, Melvin Hardin and Harley and Nellie Hardin.

She was a kind and gracious lady who was beautiful inside and out. She will be missed by all who knew her.

A memorial has been established for the Grace Lutheran Church and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366 Gordon, NE 69343.

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