Clara Elizabeth Lucia Bylander "Lu", age 89, formerly of Eau Claire, passed away Monday morning February 2, 2009 at the Bethany Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Brainerd, MN.
Memorial Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday February 7, 2009 at Lake Street United Methodist Church, 337 Lake Street Eau Claire, WI 54703. Rev. Graham N. West will officiate. Private family Inurnment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery Columbarium in Eau Claire. Friends may call at the church Saturday morning one hour prior to services. |
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Lu was born in Muncie, Indiana on October 17, 1919 to Floyd B. and Lorena
(McKinstry) Lucia. She moved to LaFayette Township in Chippewa County when she was two years old. After moving to
LaValle, and Reedsburg, Wisconsin, She came to Eau Claire in 1937. Lu graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1937 and from University Wisconsin Eau Claire with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1941. She taught Junior High School in Bloomer for one year. She married Bruce Bylander on May 16, 1942 at the Foundry Methodist church in Washington D.C. During World War II, she followed her husband to Marine Corps bases in North Carolina and California. She lived with her parents in Eau Claire while Bruce was stationed in the South Pacific. |
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After two years of Bruce teaching and coaching basketball in Argyle, MN, he and Lu returned to Eau Claire and Bruce taught at Boyd School and later was Principal of Arlington Heights School.
Lu was an active member of the Lake Street United Methodist Church from September 1937 until her death. She taught Sunday School and held offices in the U.M.W. In 1959, she was hired as the church secretary and remained in that position until 1970 when she became a Teacher's Aide at Sam Davey School. She was a 50-year member of the PEO Sisterhood and held various jobs in the P.T.A. After retiring in 1981, Bruce and Lu spent lots of time golfing at Lake Hallie golf course. They spent part of each winter in Florida and Texas. Visiting her family was important to her.
Survivors include a daughter, Kathryn (Ronald) Oatney of Colorado Springs, CO, two sons, James R. (Linda) Bylander of Austin, TX and Charles (Linda) Bylander of Baxter, MN, eight grandchildren and three great grand children, two sisters, Ida Mayes and Margaret Vollendorf both of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a brother, Jerry Lucia of Austin, TX and two sister-in-laws Sandi Lucia of Austin, TX and Anita Harings of Tucson, AZ. Her parents and husband Bruce, who passed away on October 23, 2007, preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Lu's memory to Lake Street United Methodist Church. Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com.
Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire is assisting the family with the arrangements. |
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