Nancy B. Clauser

Nancy B. Clauser, 87, of Bethlehem, passed into the loving arms of her Savior on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at home. She was the loving wife of the late Frederick D. Clauser, to whom she was married for 56 years until his passing in 2012.

Born April 6, 1936, in Pine Grove, Nancy was the oldest child of the late Roy E. and Nora M. Kreichbaum Behney.

She was a 1954 graduate of Pine Grove High School, attended Central Penn Business College, Harrisburg, and earned her BA degree from Cedar Crest College, Allentown.

Nancy was a faithful member of Grace Church Bethlehem and formerly of First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem, and was a member of the Bethlehem chapter of PEO.

Nancy worked part-time at various jobs over the years, but then found time, after her children were grown, to earn her college degree. She accomplished this 40 years after her high school graduation. But Nancy was first and foremost a full-time homemaker. She loved to cook Pa. Dutch meals for her family and was very proud of her Pa. Dutch heritage. Of greatest importance in Nancy's life was her family and their accomplishments.

She had a great love of music, especially classical, choral and musicals. She attended many concerts and especially enjoyed her grandchildren's school musical programs. She sang in her church choir for many years and also gave piano lessons to friends and neighborhood children. In 1985, she and her husband had the good fortune to attend the Mozart Musik Festival in Salzburg, Austria.

Nancy was a volunteer at the Phoebe Devitt Home for many years and also volunteered at Musikfest. For several years, Nancy and her husband opened their home to family and foreign students, mentoring them and giving them the opportunity to experience the American culture.

Nancy's greatest joy was traveling, and she and her husband made many trips to Europe during his career with a German company. They especially enjoyed hiking in the Alps in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. In 2004, they traveled the Lewis and Clark Trail from Missouri to Oregon and then cruised to Alaska to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. They were also "snowbirds" and enjoyed the warmth of the Florida sunshine for several months.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her husband and parents, were a sister, Janet Blankenhorn; a brother, Donald Behney; a daughter-in-law, Janice Clauser; and her beloved companion, John (Jack) Rentschler.

Surviving are her three children, Craig Clauser and Karen Clauser, both of Bethlehem, and Neal and wife, Kim Clauser, of Easton; three grandchildren, Ryan and wife, Brittany Clauser, Christopher Clauser and girlfriend, Lauryn Teti, and Danielle Goff-Clauser; a great-granddaughter, Lilia Clauser; a sister-in-law, Carol Behney, of Pine Grove; cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

A very special thank you to Dr. Nair and his staff at Lehigh Valley Health Network for their wonderful care and compassion and also to Lehigh Valley Hospice for their support and comfort.

Graveside services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family in the Suedberg Church of God, Pine Grove, with the Rev. Manuela Kawer, ECO, officiating. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date at a time and place to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions in her memory be made to either the Music Ministry of Grace Church Bethlehem, 4301 Hecktown Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020, or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 30, Tamaqua, PA 18252-0030. H.L. Snyder Funeral Home Inc., Pine Grove, has been entrusted with the arrangements, and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.