Clara C. Lance

Clara Catherine Lance, 90, of Wichita and former Greensburg resident, went to her heavenly home on Friday, May 27, 2016. Clara was the daughter of Mark A. Wright and Kate C. (Kelly) Wright of Greensburg, Kansas and was raised on a farm southwest of town. Clara was an avid lover of music and attended Fort Hays State majoring in music. While attending college she met her husband of 57 years, Charles H. Lance, at a USO dance while he was stationed at Walker Air Force Base. The couple married and moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia for two years and then returned to Greensburg to help on the family farm. Here they raised three children: Luana K. Awe, Prescott, Arizona (husband Ben), Barbara A. Wingfield, Wichita, KS (husband Larry), Thomas C. Lance, Hutchinson, KS (wife Jan). Clara was blessed with 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren: Grandson Robert S. Preble and wife Rhonda, children Lance and Rachel, Wichita, KS, Grandson Joshua D. Preble and wife Laurie, children Naomi, Emma and Grace, Wichita, KS, Granddaughter Brandi K. LeClair, children Haylie and Kayla, Wichita, KS, Grandson Adam Lance and granddaughter Addisyn Lance both of Hutchinson, KS. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, sister Frances Honoria Larkin, sister Emeline Holzmeister Beedle, brother Horace Mark Wright, and son-in-law Larry Wingfield. She had many nieces and nephews that she dearly cared for also. Prior to the 5-4-7 tornado Clara was a member of the Rebeka Lodge and was a Past Noble Grand, a member of the VFW Auxiliary, Kiowa County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and a former member of the Sweet Adeline’s of Dodge City. Clara’s love for singing continued as she sang over the years for many weddings, funerals, in church choir and many solos for church services. She worked at the City Greenhouse for several years for the Glass family, and worked at the Greensburg post office assisting with custodial duties until taking a job at the Butterfly Boutique working for several owners including Opal Askins and LaVerne Rosenberger. It was well known that Clara collected birds and received many over the years from family and cherished friends. She also loved to play Bridge. Heaven has another beautiful voice to add to the heavenly choir and she will be dearly missed by many. Funeral services and Celebration of Clara’s life were held 2:00p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, Greensburg with Pastor Terry Mayhew presiding. Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery, Greensburg. Memorials are suggested to the Greensburg Alumni Association for a music scholarship and the American Cancer Society, in care of Fleener Funeral Home, 514 S. Main St., Greensburg, Kansas 67054.