Clara Belle McManus, 89, of Traverse City died peacefully at her winter home in Naples, FL, with her husband of 70 years, George, at her bedside.
Clara was born on a cattle farm in Long Lake Township to Julius and Ellen (Courtade) Kratochvil, the third of six children. She attended the Howard Rural School, Traverse City Public Schools, and graduated from Saint Francis High School, class of 1948. On Aug 16, 1949 Clara married George A McManus Jr. They moved to the Michigan State University campus, where he attended college and she started classes at the St. Lawrence School of Nursing.
The Lord had other plans though, as the babies started arriving. Nine of 10 children survive Clara, Lisa McManus (Stuart Saints), Molly (Nick) Agostinelli, Peggy (Rick) Egelus, Kate (Mike) McDonald, Kerry (Jamie) Canellos, George (Laurie) McManus, John (Michelle) McManus, Bridget (Ron) Popp, Matt (Jackie) McManus; along with 23 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Also surviving Clara are sisters, Eileen Milner, Luella Wilson; brother in law, Jerry Benton; sisters in law, Janet Chouinard, Jean Kratochvil, Leona McManus, Gloria McManus; and in laws, Art and Judy McManus, Mike and Janet McManus, Freida and Roger Thompson; and extended family too numerous to mention.
Clara managed the cherry farm on Garfield Rd and raised the family in the house where George and Clara lived together for more than 60 years. Their massive garden and fruit orchards helped feed the family as well as many hungry people in the community. She was committed to her faith, family, hospitality and hard work, traits she encouraged in her children. Clara was a kind and gentle soul, but if there was a need, she labored to get the job done with grace and quiet determination.
Among her many accomplishments include appointments in 1973 and again in 1975 to the State of Michigan Agriculture Marketing and Bargaining Board. She served as a member of the Zonta Club, the Farm Bureau and was a supporter of the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools. Clara was a major fundraiser for the Grand Traverse Pavilions and the PACE Program, with Emeritus designation in 2019. She worked bake sales, taught 4-H and opened her home for nearly 30 years to foreign exchange students from around the world. She loved her Detroit Tigers and Michigan State Spartans.
Preceding her in death were a daughter, Rosemary Ann (deceased at birth); brothers, Dr. Richard Kratochvil, Charles Kratochvil; sister, Naomi Benton; in laws, Francis McManus; Ronald and Antoinette Lints, D. Patrick McManus; and son in law, Amin (Moon) Nurmohamed.
Visitation will be held at Saint Francis Catholic Church Fri, May 1, from 5 to 8 pm, with the rosary at 7 pm.
On Sat, May 2, visitation will be at 9 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 am, also at the church. Interment will be in Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Mapleton.
The family would like to thank all of Clara's caregivers, particularly Kate and Mike McDonald, who took special care of our mom to the end.
Clara and her family are being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
