The Superior Express -

Clarabelle Ernestine Vader was born to Jake and Ernestine Vader Aug. 17, 1933, at their home near Webber, Kansas. She was seven months old when her father moved the family to a farm near Burr Oak, less than a mile south of what is now known as the home place before moving to the home place in 1937. Clarabelle attended Oak Creek Country School through 8th grade then attended Mankato High School, graduating in May, 1951.

In late August 1948, Clarabelle became very ill. It was thought to be the flu but she was ultimately diagnosed with Polio. The day she was to begin her sophomore year at Mankato High School, she was admitted to Asbury Hospital in Salina, Kansas where she stayed the next eight weeks. She recovered without paralysis. It was the first of December before she was able to go back to school. Despite the setback, Clarabelle caught up with her class and graduated with her usual good grades.

After graduation, Clarabelle was employed as a teller and secretary taking dictation and writing correspondence at the State Exchange Bank in Mankato. She stayed in town with her grandparents, Harlow and Ella B. Vader, and went home on weekends.

Clarabelle married Carroll Hajny Sept. 4, 1951, at Miltonvale, Kansas. Their first home was an apartment in Mankato. Clarabelle continued to work at the bank until the Spring of 1952, when they moved to their first farm. Their life together was blessed by four children, Dennis, Glenn, Rick and Rita.

The couple farmed together until Carroll died in 1993 of cancer. Clarabelle took a course at Central Community College in Hastings, Nebraska to become a CNA and then worked in the Superior nursing home until she retired in March 1998.

Clarabelle moved to Jewell, Kansas, where she enjoyed being active in several clubs, some travel, and the thing she enjoyed most, time with her family. Later Clarabelle would move to Superior before going to Mankato Long Term Care where she died peacefully on March 9, 2024.

Clarabelle was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Carroll Hajny; parents, Jake and Ernestine Vader, Superior; one brother, Jerry Vader and Peggy (Malsbury) Vader, Superior: two sisters, Shirley and Harold Steele, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Jacqueline Whelchel, Erie, Kansas.

Clarabelle is survived by her four children, Dennis, Burr Oak, Glenn, Belleville, Rick and Tammy ,Ellis, Kansas, Rita (Hajny) and Ron McKee, Des Moines; one brother, Harlow, Mankato; as well as nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.

Her funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, from the Megrue-Price Funeral Home in Superior with Pastor Rod Rose officiating.

Music will be "The Old Rugged Cross," "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Garden," with Vickie Nielsen as the vocalist and Ivan Miller as her accompanist.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 on Friday.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Hajny, Glenn Hajny, Rick Hajny, Scott Hajny, Jon Hajny and Jake Kenney. Honorary pallbearers will be Christian Hajny, Bailey Hajny, Tanner Hajny, Cameron Hajny, Kaleb Stewart, Gavin Stewart and Santana Kenney.

Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Superior.

Memorials to the family to be designated later.

Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of http://www.pricefuneral homes.com.

Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior is in charge of the arrangements.