2003 Year in Review

Ode to Clara

There was a very quiet passing this week. Many of us that knew Clara Kimmel have fond memories of her. I know Clara worked for the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department back in the 70’s. I think she was a matron but I’m not sure. I remember her son was Sheriff back before Roger Schipper. For the last years of her life she lived in Colorado where her son is.

But that’s not why I remember Clara. When I first moved to Morrison in 1977, M.I.T. didn’t have housing for women. There weren’t many girls then and the housing (trailers) was only male. So people around town would open their homes to female students. Clara was one of those people. Her upstairs bedrooms were filled with young women. It didn’t matter who you were, she took you into her home.

As a female student of M.I.T., I didn’t stay with Clara, because the year I went there was a large group of girls and she was full. I stayed with our English teacher Mrs. Kent or “Ma Kent” as we called her. She too has passed on. But I spent many hours at Clara’s home and always felt like one of the girls. When you’re away from home for the first time, it’s great to have a place that feels like home. My best friend lived with her and we would take our lunch breaks making sandwiches and watching “All my Children”. After 23 years of just Christmas cards, I called my best friend last night to let her know of Clara’s passing. We were able to catch up and reminisce about the old days.

I understand she has donated her body to science with a memorial at a later date. Goodbye and thanks Clara.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
September 25, 2003