Clara Erlewine

Jasinta Clara Erlewine passed away January 17, 2022, at Perkins County Health in Grant, Nebraska.

Clara was born on August 16, 1940, to Rosalia (Cavazos) and Pablo Garcia at Karnes City, Texas. The family moved to Brule, Nebraska, in January of 1955.

On November 21, 1957, she was united in marriage to Lyle W. Erlewine at Ogallala, NE. Clara's first love was her God and her Church. This translated into a great devotion to her family, fierce support of her husband as she joined in all labors to support their growing family, and into her love of providing guidance and support to her children and grandchildren. She gave of herself unselfishly in her care for Lyle and in her care for her family. She was always happiest praying and caring for her family and having them around her. In addition to being a loving homemaker, sewing, baking, cooking, and creating a loving and beautiful home for her family; Clara worked as a nurses aide, where her skills as a caregiver were greatly needed. She was also employed at JC Penneys and Sketch and Stitch Crafts.

After retirement, Clara was thrilled to move into their home at Yacht Club Estates on Lake McConaughy. This is where she planted her beloved "Mary's Garden" and nurtured not only her faith and her family but her flowers and the wildlife around her. Clara and Lyle enjoyed traveling together, first on a motorcycle and later with their 5th Wheel. Clara could make a comfortable loving home anywhere she was, a tent, a camper, or a house on the lake. They spent many years wintering at the Holy Trinity Monastery at St. David, Arizona, where Clara was active in running the gift shop, baking goodies from the pecans that Lyle harvested and processed, but most importantly, praising Jesus. Clara balanced Lyle's fiery personality with her own constantly burning ember of love, providing warmth and comfort to her family and those who knew her.

J. Clara Erlewine is survived by four daughters; Diane (James) Adkins, Deon Hoffman, Ogallala, NE; Quenna (Russell) Koch, Denton, NE; and Beth (Timothy) Wilson, Omaha, NE, eleven Grandchildren, Melissa Elmblad, Kerri (Trevor) Foulk, Brett Adkins; Grace Hoffman, Emily (Michael) Hough; Ian (Meridith) Koch, Savannah Koch; Mariah Koch; Claire (Riley) Baasch, Jake Wilson, Trevor Wilson; and two great-granddaughters Raegan Elmblad and Thea Goodrich; and according to Clara, at least two new great-grandchildren in the next year, as well as bonus great-grandchildren Maverick, Paisley and Maisie Hough; sisters Angie (Bob) Conde, Mercedes Wymer, Candi Garcia; brothers Raymond (Toni) Garcia, Nestor (Louisa) Garcia, Frank Garcia, Joe (Sherri) Garcia; John (Kathleen) Garcia, brothers-in-law, William H. Barnes, and John Lee, and numerous nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews. She will also be greatly missed by her bible study friends and fellow prayer warriors.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle W. Erlewine, her son Tracy Charles Erlewine, her parents, one brother, Maximo Garcia, brother in law Allen Wymer, sisters in law Thelma J. Barnes, and Erna R. Lee, and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Clara's memory with the intent to support local charitable causes. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Fr. Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Rosary will be recited on Friday, January 21, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the Church. No visitation is scheduled.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.