Clara L. Graham

Clara Graham, 94, died at the Cozad Community Hospital on Saturday, December 20, 2014. Clara was born on September 1, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan to Joseph and Veronica Majszak Jacek. She was the last of the eight children in the Jacek family, because her father died before she was born. Her mother remarried, with six more siblings completing the family. Clara worked in a gun plant during World War II. James Graham I served in the War, and then returned home to work a the Grey Iron Foundry. Clara and James met on a blind date, fell in love and were married July 27, 1946, at St. Casimir Church, Saginaw. Clara and Jim loved dancing, as members of the Washington Club. They enjoyed their bowling teams, and Clara was a great baseball fan, cheering for the Detroit Tigers. She enjoyed reading and putting puzzles together, plus time spent with her family. Two children were born to this union: Duane and James II. Duane and his wife Judi Graham live in Saginaw, Michigan. Their family includes Tammy and Rob Braun, Fraser, Michigan; Vicki and Roderick Washington, Arlington, Texas and Lorie Graham Williams, Saginaw, Michigan. Great grandchildren are Audrey, Jackson, Carter, Olivia, Alex, and Anika. Grayson is a great, great grandchild. James II and his wife Merry Graham live in Cozad, Nebraska. Their family includes James III, St. Helen, Michigan; Amy and Jeff Smith, North Vernon, Indiana; Rhonda and Steven Pandorf, Callaway, Nebraska; Renee and Jeff Wood, Broomfield, Colorado; Marc and Mindy Lehto, Hemlock, Michigan; and Michael and Jen Lehto, Saginaw, Michigan. Great grandchildren are Amanda, Stephanie, Kalenna, Makayla, Timothy, Ava, Dylan, Amelia, Harper and August. Great, great grandchildren are Nevaeh and Jayden. Additional survivors include sisters Helen McIntyre and Dorthy Middleton, several nieces and nephews, and special niece Eleanor Wisner, all of Bay City, Michigan. Those preceding Clara in death are her parents, her husband James I, who died September 3, 2006, plus siblings Raymond Jacek, Andrew Jacek, Mary Babcock, John Jacek, Margaret Jacek, Louie Jacek, JoAnn Piotrowski, Jo Bernacki, Josephine Bernacki, Genevive Bernacki and Anthony Bernacki. Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. followed by the Service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Holy Spirit Parish, 1025 North River Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48609 with inurnment at St. Andrew's Cemetery, Saginaw. Memorials may be sent to Holy Spirit Parish, honoring Clara and James Graham, members of the Church for over 53 years. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Berryman Funeral Home, Cozad, is in charge of arrangements.