Clara Gruenhagen, 90, passed away peacefully at home in Rice Lake on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Clara loved spending time with her family, grandkids, and great grandkids at their property on Long Lake. She and Jim enjoyed time with friends going out to breakfast, snowmobiling, boating on the lake, listening to music, and dancing. Over the course of her life, Clara was involved in many artistic endeavors. She loved miniatures, making cards, sewing, baking, and gardening. After she won numerous awards for the wedding dresses she designed and sewed for dolls at a local contest, she was chosen to judge future competitions. She and Jim were owners of Hardscrabble Ski Area, and Clara was also an owner of The Craft Cellar on Main Street.

Survivors are two daughters Julie Gruenhagen Strasheim, Denver, CO and Lisa Gruenhagen, Bowling Green, OH; and son Jim (Melinda) Gruenhagen, Rice Lake. Grandchildren: Amanda (Alex) Strasheim Kornienko, Denver, CO; Josh Gruenhagen, Rice Lake; Jenna (Sam) Lindsay, Eau Claire, WI; Kara (Cory) Olson, Chippewa Falls, WI; Parker Gruenhagen, Rice Lake. Great grandchildren Emmett, Amelia, and Ayven Lindsay. Sister, Carol Heinel; brother, George (Bette) Soldner, sisters-in-law, Sharon Gruenhagen and Peggy Bailey; and dear friends, Linda Sue Gruenhagen (daughter-in-law), Jan (Steve) Saffert, and Bev Leonard. And many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Clara was preceded in death by Jim, her husband of 67 years; her parents, Henry and Verna Soldner; her sister Gloria Harrison; and brothers Howard Soldner, Marvin Soldner, and Henry Soldner, Jr. Also departed, her sister-in-law, Georgia (Marvin) Soldner; dear friend Betty Dahle; and beloved aunts and uncles.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the nurses and staff at Mayo Hospice for their kind and excellent care. To honor Clara’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.

You Will Be Remembered You will be remembered, when the flowers bloom in spring And in the summertime remembered In the fun that summer brings You will be remembered When fall brings leaves of gold In the wintertime remembered, in the stories that are told And you will be remembered, each day from the start For the memories that we once shared, Forever live within my heart

Last Update: Mar 26, 2025 1:21 pm CDT