Clara Ellen Bach, age 84, of Manhattan KS died on April 25th, 2024 at Meadowlark Hills Nursing Home while two of her daughters were praying the rosary to guide her home.
She was born August 12th, 1939 in Haviland KS, the oldest child of Gilbert & Leona “May” (Rose) Yohn. Clara graduated from Greensburg High School in 1957. She attended Kansas State University where she studied nuclear engineering until she met her late husband Lawrence Leon Bach. They married October 3rd, 1959 and had 57 happy years until his death in 2016. She lived most of her adult life in Blue Rapids, KS until 2002 when she moved to Flush, KS and then to Manhattan, KS in 2016.
Clara was an integral part in making the Bach Farm in Blue Rapids KS successful. She was a dedicated mother, attending every school event of her children without fail. She could often be found plowing the fields, cutting alfalfa, going to the market to purchase and sell farm animals, growing a Victory Garden, and sewing clothing or quilts. She enjoyed reading the newspaper daily and loved to read books through the end of her life. She was also an avid member of her church organizations, the Red Hat Club, and volunteered at the Blue Rapids Public Library. Later in life, she enjoyed many years snow birding in Arizona and was a founding member of the Oregon Trail Sams Camping Club.
Survivors includer her six children; Michael Bach of Tampa, Florida, John Bach and wife Beth of Wichita, Kansas, Philip Bach and his wife Kenda of Archie, Missouri, Anastasia Blundell and her husband Troy of Powderly, Texas, Monica Smithwick and her husband Tim of Manhattan, Kansas, Cathryn Bach of Germantown, Maryland; two sisters, Geraldine Benesky of Walsenburg, Colorado and Pauline Conard of Larned, Kansas; her brother, Gail Yohn and his wife Barbera of Hutchinson, Kansas; twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Clara was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence, an infant child, and her parents.
Cremation is planned. Family and friends are invited to pray the Rosary at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 10th, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Flush. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 10th, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with inurnment to follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on "Share A Memory" on this page.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Rapids Public Library or Blue Rapids Historical Society/Museum. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.