Funeral services for Clara M. McGill, age 95, of Albert Lea will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Matt Griggs will officiate. Interment will be at the West Freeborn Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Clara died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.
Clara Magdeline McGill was born on June 13, 1914, to Ole and Marie (Madson) Harpedahl in Hartland. Clara grew up in the Hartland area and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1931. After high school Clara worked for Queen Stove as a “Rosie the Riveter” (welder) during World War II, welding parts together for camp stoves for the GIs. Clara was a member of East Freeborn Lutheran Church and enjoyed being active in circle and altar guild. She enjoyed selling her apples and other produce at the farmers market. Clara also enjoyed fishing, photography, flower and vegetable gardening and her apple orchards. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Survivors include her sons, Orrin (Pam) McGill of Andover and Allen (Karen) McGill of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Ian (Amy) McGill of Arlington, Va., Clint (Heidi) McGill of Albert Lea, Jesse (Kristin) McGill of Mt. Crested Butte, Colo., Casey McGill and Mariah McGill, both of Albert Lea; and great-grandson, Samuel McGill.
Clara was preceded in death by her parents, Ole and Marie Harpedahl; and brothers, Arthur and Oliver.