Claudia L. Garn

MAUSTON, Wis. – Claudia L. Garn, 76, a longtime resident of McHenry, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, after a long illness.
She was born July 20, 1935, in Chicago, to Walter and LaVergne (Lee) Metzdorf. Her father died when she was very young, and she was later adopted by Edward Lowe when her mother remarried.
On Dec. 18, 1953, she married Henry G. Garn and enjoyed the Navy life and the experiences of traveling to many places in the United States. They moved back to Chicago, and then to McHenry after Henry left the service.
Claudia was loving, bright, an avid reader, artistic and funny. She held her family and friends close and spent most of the rest of her time in the service of others. These are just a few of them: Scout leader of three different troops, civil rights activist, art teacher, polling judge, library board member, teachers' aide at McHenry East High School and attended AA Meetings at St. Regis on Fridays, drew photo backdrops for prom and homecoming, and spent 16 years as a caseworker for the Illinois DCFS before moving to Mauston when she retired. Even then she took time to volunteer at the library and tutor reading students at Olsen Middle School.
She is survived by her husband, Hank; her daughter, Gayle (Jeff) Lehman of McHenry; her grandchildren, Cassandra and David; her great-grandsons, Kenyon and Brody; her best friend, Sandy; and her nieces, nephews and a few "adopted children" who needed a motherly touch.
She was preceded in death by her dear granny, Camille; her parents, Walter, Edward and Lee; and her son, Guy.
Interment was private. A celebration of life will be at a later date at her Mauston home.
Condolences and memorials may be made to the family in care of Henry Garn, N3289 KL Townline Road, Mauston, WI 53948; or to Gayle Lehman at 1805 N. Riverside Drive, McHenry, IL 60050.