Clara Marie Grande

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

Clara Marie Grande (nee Olsen), 92 years old, departed this earthly life on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Lakeshore Assisted Living in Lake Tomahawk, after a long, fulfilling life. She leaves behind a legacy of love.

Clara was the daughter of Kato Olsen and Johanne Marie Olsen (nee Robertsen), She was born September 15, 1932, in Chicago. In 1935, Clara returned to her parents’ native country Norway with her father and mother and her siblings, Reidar Olsen and Agnes Carswell. Her baby brother Harry Olsen was born in Norway. She grew up on the family farm Skjønhals in Frøya, Sør-Trondelag, Norway in a house that her father Kato built. Kato was a carpenter. The family returned to the United States in 1949.

In 1950, Clara met the love of her life, Henry Lyder Grande. Her mother-in-law, Gunhild Grande, introduced them. Gunhild took such liking to Clara as they sang in the choir together. They were married September 23, 1950, at the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Chicago. During their 57 years of marriage, they had five children, Robert Henry Grande (Janet), Kenneth Nils Grande, Karen Marie Helgerson, Nancy Ann Moen (Daniel), and William Andrew Grande (Amy). 

Clara was known for her strong will (the bull), unwavering determination and her love for her family. Clara truly knew that it was more blessed to give than receive. Her generosity knew no bounds. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and a beautiful soul who would help anyone at any time without judgement. Her radiant smile, laughter, songs and dance are etched into our memories. 

Clara had a special heart for the elderly and worked for 38 years as a certified nursing assistant and certified medical assistant at nursing homes and CBRF assisted living in the area before retiring. She advocated for her patients and treated all with dignity and respect. 

You could call Clara eccentric. She will be remembered as the “Flower Lady” of Hiawatha Mobile Home Estates. She loved tending and watering her outside flowerpots which carpeted her lawn. She maintained flowers at the local cemeteries, having her grandchildren help her “miracle grow” any flowers at grave sites. Clara was always knitting and crocheting. If her car trunk was not full of miracle grow jugs, her car trunk was full of Afghan lap blankets and “booties” which she would randomly give out to anyone she felt was in need or simply just because. She knitted and donated blankets for newborns at the hospital. Clara was a fabulous cook and a Norwegian baker. Christmas was a special time in the house as she made homemade Norwegian lefse, krumkake and fattigman. She loved to host get togethers. She took care of all the cooking for special events at her church, Lakeland Assembly of God. She was a treasure.

She was truly a shining example of a servant’s heart to those around her and most especially to her 20 grandchildren, Michael, Susan, Phillip, Deborah, Danielle, Matthew, Justin, Lacey, Benjamin, Heather, Amy, Beth, Amber, Nicole, Rachel, Samantha, Meghan, Thomas, Kelsey, and Nicholas. Clara was blessed with 32 living great-grandchildren (and one due the end of September) and three great-great-grandchildren. 

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Henry Grande, her son Ken Grande, two great-grandchildren, Allison Lee Paukner and Andrew James Grande, her parents Kato and Marie Olsen, her siblings Reidar Olsen, Agnes Carswell and Harry Olsen.

Visitation for Clara will be held on Monday, May 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel with a funeral service at 11 a.m. and a burial will follow at Forest Gardens Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to lunch at Nimsgern Funeral to celebrate Clara’s life. 

She is watering in her master’s garden. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.