Clara Jean (Nelson) Gude

Clara Jean (Nelson) Gude was born on September 30, 1938 in Hamburg, Iowa; the daughter of Wade (Pete) Nelson and Irene (Shirley) Nelson. She attended school in Hamburg and graduated from the Hamburg High School with the Class of 1956. She was united in marriage to John Frederick Gude on July 14, 1956 in Hamburg, Iowa. 

Clara Jean began her career as a legal secretary for Getscher and Getscher. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Moody Construction for many years. In addition, Clara Jean had her own bookkeeping and income tax business in Hamburg, before becoming the Fremont County Clerk of Court, serving for eighteen years, until her retirement in 2000.   Following her retirement, she was able to enjoy spending time with her husband and family.

Clara Jean was a lifelong resident of Hamburg. She enjoyed working on the farm with John, and the two of them shared a love of horse racing. Clara Jean's world revolved around John and her family. She took great pride in her family, and she was a very hands-on wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved attending her children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's activities, and was always up for a fun family adventure. She loved hosting family gatherings, where she could be counted on to serve her family's favorite fried chicken and peach pie. Clara Jean was a selfless caregiver for many family members and she was always there to help family and friends when they were in need. 

Clara Jean is survived by her children: John N. Gude and wife Debbie of Omaha, Nebraska; Jean Anne Muenchau and husband Martin of Sherwood, Oregon; Janet Teten and husband Bill of Sidney, Iowa; 8 grandchildren: Natalie Aistrope-Golden, Christopher Gude, Nicole Muenchau, Mark Muenchau and wife Margaret, Jina Sanders and family, Jessica Athen and husband Courtney, Stephanie Doty and partner Kyle Bohlen; Samantha Leseberg and husband Tel; 8 great-grandchildren: Shania Aistrope, Lillie Athen, Landon Athen, Leighton Leseberg, Crew Leseberg, Ainsley Bohlen, Clara Bohlen, Eleanore Muenchau, Genevieve Muenchau; and brother Charles Nelson of Middleburg, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. 

Clara Jean Gude entered eternal peace on January 16, 2022, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, surrounded by her family, at the age of 83. She will be greatly missed, and her memory will live on in those whose lives she touched. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at the Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, IA.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday (1/21) at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

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