Claire E. Redell, 80, a resident of Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls, and formerly of Delafield, died on Sunday morning, August 28, 2016.

Claire was born on January 15, 1936, in Wauwatosa, the daughter of Raymond and Elizabeth (Harrier) Redell. Claire graduated from Wauwatosa High School in 1954. She received a BA degree in piano performance from Northwestern University in 1958 and then her MA degree in piano performance from UW-Madison, studying under Gunnar Johansen, a world-renowned pianist and composer. Just a couple of her piano memories include performing for Leonard Bernstein and being presented with his conductor's baton and losing to Van Cliburn in a piano competition. Her kids could never understand why she was proud of losing to someone until they learned who he was! Claire gave up a promising touring career to get married and have children.

Claire's passion was music and the arts. She was a piano instructor for many years, passing on her love of piano to countless children and adults. She loved being a music and art critic covering the greater Milwaukee area, bringing her children along to experience symphonies, operas, musicals, plays, and art exhibits. She had numerous hobbies, talents, and interests including raising and breeding Arabian horses, showing dogs, quilting, photography, painting, sculpting, doll making, and wood working. She enjoyed traveling the world. Some of her favorite trips included sailing the Caribbean, hot air ballooning across Austria and Switzerland, trail riding and fly fishing in the Canadian Rockies, visiting her son and brother and hang gliding in Australia, and exploring Thailand's temples and markets. She cherished spending time at the family cottage on Crystal Lake in Marquette County. Hundreds of new-born babies at Children's Hospital received hand-knitted hats and blankets made by Claire.

Everyone who knew Claire experienced and enjoyed her endless creativity, her warmth and affection for everyone she met, her incredible musical and artistic talent, and most of all, her love of her children.

Claire is survived by a son, Alan (Jennifer) Redell of Sheboygan and their daughters, Amelia, Sarah, and Lauren; a daughter, Elizabeth Redell and her sons Myles, Nolan and Bryce Nze; and a brother, Karl (Laura) Redell of Delafield and their daughters Julie (Nathan) Schuettpelz and Leah Redell.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents and her son, David Redell.

The Redell family would like to thank Dr. Michael Johnson and his staff at Sheboygan Internal Medicine, the wonderful people at Pine Haven, and the Sharon S. Richardson Hospice team for their care and compassion.

Private family services will be held.

A memorial fund is being established in her memory for Pine Haven Christian Communities.

For online condolences and additional information, please visit www.wenigfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Sheboygan Press on Aug. 31, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Claire Redell

Sponsored by Wenig Funeral Home - Sheboygan Falls.

5 Entries

Austin Nze

September 11, 2016

Alan and family, on behalf of my boys, our thoughts and prayers are with you for the loss of your mom. We are sad about her passing but God knows best. Please accept our sympathy Austin, Myles, Nolan and Bryce Nze.

Sheila Dippel

September 7, 2016

The first time I met Claire was when I was being given a tour of the Giddings Covenant Home as a volunteer. She was playing the piano and the music was so incredible that it brought tears to my eyes. She was a beautiful person and I enjoyed being in her company very much!

Tammy Horswill

August 31, 2016

Claire was very special to me . We shared so many wonderful times at the piano playing for the other residents . She loved to correct all my mistakes, (and there were many ). I feel very blessed to have had her in my life. My deepest sympathies to you.

August 31, 2016

So sorry Betsy for your loss!!! We love you, Bruce, DeeDee, Garett and Sami

Julie Hanson-Leffin

August 31, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. Claire was my mom's meal companion until her death last July and I will always remember her incredible talent at the piano, especially when playing all the songs from The Sound of Music, which happens to be my favorite movie. She played them all by heart, and remembering it is still music to my ears. I was also so excited last year to share my new Granddaughter Claire with her. I was glad to have known her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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