Clara (Claire) Alma Pettis, (86) of Colorado Springs, CO, formerly from Augusta, WI
passed away on November 5, 2023 peacefully in her home with two of her loving
granddaughters by her side in her apartment in Colorado Springs, CO.
Claire was born – Clara Alma Hehl on January 3, 1937 in Chicago, IL. She was raised by numerous foster parents; Bonnie & Eilert Hehl took her into their home at the beginning of her sophomore year of high school and she graduated from Fall Creek High School in 1955. She married Jack Thompson from Augusta, WI in May, 1955. She had three children, Roberta (Bobbie) Marie, Brenda Lee, and John Alfred. She divorced Jack in 1982 and married the love of her life, Gerald Pettis, Sr., in 1984 and resided in Augusta, WI. She moved to Colorado Springs, CO, in May of 2017 to be closer to her daughter and her Colorado family who looked after her for the last six years of her life.
Claire’s children: Bobbie Donley, Osseo, WI, Brenda (Scott) Nyseth, Colorado Springs, CO; John Thompson Jr., Norfolk, VA, Cindy Schott (daughter-in-law), Virginia Beach, VA. Grandchildren: April (Brian) Chaffee, Peyton, CO; Scott (Jamie) Nyseth, Jr., Peyton, CO; Tina (Greg) Boettcher, Augusta, WI, Sharon Smith, Kasson, MN; Amber Thompson, Virginia Beach, VA. Great Grandchildren: Kylie (Jeremy) Nyseth-Bongiorno, Bryanna (Chris) Nyseth-Johnson, Summer Nyseth-Boudrot, Sydney Chaffee, Taylor Clark, Caleb Nyseth, Amaya Chaffee, Hunter Nyseth, Matthew Wampole, James Green, Savannah Loven, Tara Donley, Porter Chaffee, Danyiel Boettcher, and Mia Smith. Great-great Grandchildren: Leyna, Aria, and Leland Johnson and Olive and Lottie Boudrot along with another great-great grandchild expected in April of 2024.
Claire’s family includes many brothers and sisters: Gene (Betty) Hehl, Poynette, WI; Kathy (Arnold) Thur, Neillsville, WI; Bernice Greenwood, WI; Darlene (Al) Rakover, Loyal, WI; Wesley Jones, Sternman, WI; Ronnie (Linda) Peterson, Lake Isabelle, MI; Glen Peterson, GA; Becky (Glen) Bublitz, Withee, WI; Cindy Streveler, Osseo, WI; Dennis (Pam) Hehl, Chippewa Falls, WI; Sue (Bill) Oberle, Rochester, MN; Amiee (Ben) Wentzel, Fall Creek, WI; Theresa Hehl, Plainview, MN, Patty Jo (Mark) Thalacker, Fall Creek, WI; Benjamin (Teri) Hehl, White Hall, WI; Sarah (Mark) Gindt, La Crosse, WI., and many nieces and nephews.
Claire was preceded in death by: Gerald Pettis, Sr., (husband); Betty Kaulten (sister); John Stephan, (grandson); Leonard Peterson (brother); Bonnie & Eilert Hehl (foster parents); JoAnn Benson (sister); Chris Hehl (brother); Cecil Hehl (brother); Wallace Peterson (brother); Willard Jones (brother); Bill Jones (brother); Dick Peterson (brother).
She cherished her 33 years of marriage with Gerald. She was also a very hard worker and during her retirement years she enjoyed reading, crocheting, and sewing. And, she enjoyed making quilts for her children, grandchildren, and friends. She also had some very special friends in Augusta: Sandy Marifke (deceased), Debbie, Keith, and Kevin (adopted grandson) Kitchen. She also had some wonderful friends in Colorado Springs, to name just a few: Laurie, Diane, Bonnie, Sherry and Carolyn.
There will be two Celebrations of Life: One to be held in Augusta, WI at the Fire Station on 11/19 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and one in Colorado Springs, CO at Bethel Lutheran Church on 11/25 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
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