Clara Marie Gangluff

Clara Marie (Gunderman) Gangluff, 89, of St. Vincent, Ark., passed away Oct. 14, 2023. She was born April 1, 1934, to Margaret (Streit) and Frank Gunderman and was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, and 10 siblings. She is survived by three children, Charles (Janice) and Donna Briggler (Kevin) of St. Vincent, and Bill (Tracey) of Arlington, Va.; nine grandchildren, Amanda, Kathleen, Andrew, Jonathon, Lauren, Alison, Clayton, Holden and Gillian; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother, Ray Gunderman of St. Vincent; and many other family, friends, and loved ones. Clara worked for Morrilton Insurance Agency as an office manager throughout her career and was known for her care and advocacy for her clients and their needs. She served her church by teaching religious education classes to third-grade students for many years and actively participating in church events, including contributing her sought-after homemade goods. While Gerald was chief of the volunteer fire department, Clara never questioned the frequent life interruptions, and she jumped into action hundreds of times when the in-home emergency monitor signaled a danger of fire, natural disaster or a medical event in the community. Her son, Charles, continues to lead the department to this day. Even though she spent most of her adult life in St. Vincent with Gerald, she truly was a city girl from her formative years just 10 miles away in Morrilton. Clara prided herself on always being presentable — the business suit, her hair washed and styled weekly and a regular color and perm, a spritz of perfume, and nails painted each Sunday night. When she was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, Clara’s worries about how her remaining life would unfold were evident. She wrote notes and left them around her home to remind her. One early note encapsulated her greatest fear — “I have dementia and eventually will not know anybody.” She wanted to live out her life as she had all of the years prior — with poise and presence. As failing health and age contributed to her passing, her family takes solace in the fact that she valiantly battled her disease and overcame her greatest concern. Clara kept her dignity throughout her final years. Weeks before her passing, she looked at her children and smiled. She knew them and saw her legacy in them. The funeral mass will be held Tuesday, October 17 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in St. Vincent, Arkansas, with Msgr. Jack D. Harris presiding. Burial at St. Mary Church Cemetery will follow. A Rosary will be held at the Harris Chapel at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, followed by visitation. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton.

Clara Marie Gangluff

April 1, 1934 - October 14, 2023