Clara Giesen, age 96, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family present on Monday, November 2, 2015, at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague.  Clara was born June 17, 1919, in Belle Plaine Township to Peter and Anna (Bartusek) Neisen.  She attended District Schools in Belle Plaine Township and Union Hill.  In her early years, Clara worked at the Hamburger Home in Jordan, MN, then as a maid/cook in a home on Summit Ave. in St. Paul, and finally in a munitions plant during the war in Arden Hills.  She married Clarence H. “Curly” Giesen on May 2, 1945 in St. John’s Church in Union Hill.  She was a homemaker all her life and worked for a short time in the kitchen at Mala Strana Nursing Home.  Clara was a member of Catholic Aid and St. John’s Altar Society and a past officer in the latter.  She loved crocheting, quilting, sewing, cooking, playing cards, and flower gardening.  Travel was a favorite pastime but her top priority was her faith and family.

Clara is survived by her children, Bonnie (& Dennis) Morris, of Merrifield, MN, Randy (& Marie) Giesen of Eagan, MN, Bev (& Roger) Zvanovec of New Prague, MN, Lenore (& Dick) Krava of New Prague, MN, Cynthia (& Joe) Hrabe of Union Hill, MN, Bernie (& Dawn) Giesen of Montgomery, MN, Pete (& Beth) Giesen of Rochester, MN; sisters, Mary Ann Krautkermer of Montgomery, MN, Verena Deutsch of Shakopee, MN, Jane Busch of New Prague, MN, Armella Holden of New Prague, MN; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Leona Weiers of New Prague, MN, Bernice Hauer of St. Paul, MN, Frank (& Harriet) Giesen of Marshall, MI, Ludy Giesen of New Prague, MN, Marion (& Sam) Svoboda of Bloomington, MN; 23 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by husband, Clarence “Curly” Giesen on July 20, 2008; parents; brothers, Andrew & Herman Neisen.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, November 6, 2015, at 10:00 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill (20087 Hub Dr., New Prague) with Father Dave Barrett officiating.  Visitation will occur at Bruzek Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 – 7 PM and Friday morning from 7:30 – 9:30 AM.  Burial will take place at St. John’s Cemetery followed by lunch at the KC Hall in New Prague.