MEMORIAL TO MOM

Katherine Berdine McClenahan was born Berdine Katherine Lesser, August 11, 1914, 6:30 a.m., and died February 5, 2000, 1:30 a.m. She was the daughter of Jacob John "Jake" Lesser and Katherine "Kate" Wagner. Her mother died giving birth to her, and her father "Jake" Lesser died on August 6, 1921.

Katherine was raised, with two older brothers Jake and Al, by their eldest brother Harry Lesser and his wife Gertie (Smead) Lesser.

She is pre-deceased by brothers Harry A., John H., Virgil, and Alfred M., and sisters Ethel Ball, Mabel L. "Jackie" Bunker, Pearl B. Blackwell, and Alma A. McGuire.

Survivors in the Lesser line are Jake Lesser, brother, in Manhattan Beach, CA., and nieces, Kay (Blackwell) Adams, and Alpha L. Lesser, both of Bonne Terre, MO., Joanna (Bunker) Sutherland, La Habra, CA., Nancy (Bunker) Shroth, Berkeley, CA., and nephews Russell and Rick Lesser of Manhattan Beach, CA., and Bob Ball of Michigan.

Katherine attended the Bonne Terre public schools and graduated from Bonne Terre High School in 1931. Her brothers Jake and Al played baseball for the Bonne Terre "Orioles" team, and Harry was an umpire. It was through them that she met Robert J. "Candy" McClenahan, their young, star knuckleball-pitcher, who was also a very good friend of Jake and Al.

Katherine and "Candy" were married, April 28, 1932. They enjoyed a 25^th anniversary in 1957, a 50^th anniversary and family reunion in 1982, and their 65^th anniversary and family reunion in 1997. They celebrated her 85^th birthday, and "Candy's" 91^st in 1999.

Katherine donated time to the Red Cross assisting in their blood drives in Bonne Terre. She was active in the Ladies Sodality at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and worked in the kitchen helping with the cooking, serving, and cleaning-up for many church activities. Her greatest enjoyment was quilting with the ladies at the church. She made many beautiful quilts, winning a "Best of the Show" blue ribbon at the Fall Festival in Bonne Terre in 1995. Katherine took great pride in her flowers, and in 1993 she and "Candy" received a "Most Attractive Yard of the Month" award from the city.

Survivors in the McClenahan line are her husband "Candy," sons James R. and wife Clara Jo, of Stanton, CA; grandson Keith A., great-grandson Derek J. and great-granddaughter Brittni A. McClenahan of Tigard, OR; and granddaughter Herta Kay McClenahan of Milwaukie, OR; son Joseph M. and wife Tiffany A., of Battle Creek, MI; grandson Michael Paul of Florissant, MO; great grandsons, Dillard and Craig, of St. Louis, MO; and granddaughter Brenda L. Mengwasser of Chesterfield, MO; son John P. (Pat) and wife Gerrie of Hallsville, TX; granddaughter Kathleen M. Como, great granddaughter Kallee and great grandson Johnathon of Heath Springs,SC; granddaughter Candace M. "Candy" Emfinger, great-grandsons Shawn and Joshua of Monterey, LA; daughter Janice K. of Addison, IL. niece Florence Lord of Florissant, MO; Frances (Dotson) Sutter of Adair, OK; Patricia (Dotson) Anderson of Tularosa, NM; LaVerne (Blair) Kaeshamer of Jennings, MO; and LaVonne (Blair) Hughy of Festus, MO.

Katherine will be sorely missed by her many friends, and especially we, her family. May she rest in peace with God.