[br][br]Born Clara Bergitta Harnisch on a farm in Benewah Co, ID, she was the daughter of Anna Margaret (Harms) and Philip Gerold Harnisch of Tekoa, WA. She graduated Salutatorian in 1932 from Tekoa High School. After attending Kinman Business College in Spokane, she worked for the Garfield Union Warehouse and White Pine Sash. She passed at home in Portland, OR.
In 1943, she married Kermit Dean Mitchell, moving to California after WW II. Clara and Kermit had two children: Marjorie Marie and Kermit Dean Jr. Clara worked 25 years for the County of San Bernardino, CA, ending as Superior Court Clerk and having serviced as President of the Court Clerk's Assn. After Kermit's death, she married Chiropractor Dr. George W. Martens.
Always active in church, Clara volunteered in California at Campus Crusade for Christ. In Portland, she was an active member of Lent's Baptist. Her other enjoyments were cross word puzzles, reading, old movies and gardening.
She leaves behind her daughter, 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Donations may be made in her honor to Faith Mission Circle, %Lent's Baptist Church, 5921 SE 88th, Portland, OR 97266. She was laid to rest in Montecito Memorial Park, Colton, CA.
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