Clara M. Ough

Clara Marie Ough passed away on November 6th, 2025, at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Kearney, Nebraska, at the age of 104 years, 10 months, and 15 days.

Clara was born on December 22, 1920, in Chester, Nebraska, to Ralph and Marie Poppe. Her baptism took place on January 6, 1921, in Chester, and her baptismal certificate was in German. Her confirmation was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gilead on July 16, 1933. She attended Thayer County schools, graduating from Hebron High School in 1936 at the age of 15. Clara was the oldest living alumni member of Hebron High School. On February 10, 1946, she married Norman Ough in Hebron, Nebraska, at Grace Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Strang, Ohiowa, and Shickley, Nebraska, until 1960 when they moved to Hebron, Nebraska.

Norman and Clara raised a family, six girls and four boys. Clara worked at the Thayer County Courthouse prior to her marriage. She helped with farm work and was also employed at Blue Valley Nursing Home and the Hebron Livestock Cafe, and as a Secretary for NaChurs Fertilizer. Her real joy was chasing her kids, correction “raising” her kids! She was an outstanding cook and could "butcher and dress" a chicken faster than anyone. Clara's favorite past time was sewing. She sewed most of her own clothing along with clothing for her children; often making her own patterns. In 2008 she received the KOLN Sunshine Award for bringing sunshine to Lutheran World Relief. She made 152 diapers, 34 receiving blankets, and 27 school bags.

Clara was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church for 75+ years, serving on many committees and was also a member of the Rebekah Circle. She had a love of life and a great sense of humor, very much needed in raising 10 children! Clara enjoyed attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities. She also enjoyed traveling.

Clara is survived six daughters, Carolyn Stutzman (George) Wamego, KS; Kathryn Walker (Randy) Fairmont, NE; Jeanne May, Kearney, NE; Janelle Brock (Jim) Phillips, NE; Norma Barbero (Mike) Silverdale, WA; Donna Ough-Murray (Bill) Kearney, NE; four sons, Roger Ough (Holly) Omaha, NE; Charles L. Ough, Hebron, NE; Wayne Ough (Vaniece) Gilead, NE; David Ough (Fiancé Junelle) Leigh, NE; twenty grandchildren, George Stutzman Jr. (Julie), Norman Stutzman (Stacy), Bana Stelk (Sean), Samuel Stutzman (Melissa), Albert Stutzman (Cassie), Alvin Stutzman (Amy), Charles Ough (Cynthia), Kimberly Mussman (Chad), Ronald Walker (Emma), Chad Walker (Glenda), Lori Nunnenkamp (Tracy), Andrea Baxter (Jacey), Lisa Hefner, Robin Hobelman (Ashlee), Mindy Walters (Adam), Christopher Brock (Gila), Janna Anderson, Kelsey Barbero, Kiley Kielland (Brandon) and Nick Barbero (Dyeanna); 42 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and many relatives of the Poppe/Sell families.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Norman, her parents Ralph and Marie, brother Ralph Poppe, sisters Lucile Thomas and Delores Werner, sisters-in-law Eileen Ough, Imogene Ough, Lois Ough, Mildred Strain and June Poppe; and brothers-in-law, Merle Ough, James Ough and John Ough; Phillip Strain, Robert Thomas, Robert Werner; son-in-law Maury May; granddaughter Pamela Parker; and grandson Lane Ough.

All services for Clara will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron, Nebraska. Her family will be receiving guests from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., and her funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Chester City Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

Memorials are requested to the family, to be designated at a later date, and may be sent to Price Funeral Home, PO Box 187, Hebron, Nebraska, 68370.

Price Funeral Home is assisting the Ough family with these arrangements, www.priceurbauerahrendts.com