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Clara Victoria (Marek) Kinders, 96, died March 4, 2025, in Frederick, Maryland, after a brief illness.
Born Aug. 5, 1928, to Michael and Agnes (Truta) Marek, Clara was one of 11 siblings and was raised in Chicago, where she attended public schools. At 16, she left high school to support her family during World War II, managing the household and helping to raise her younger sister.
In 1948, she married the love of her life, Robert Peter Kinders, a highly decorated World War II combat veteran. Together, they raised two sons, Robert J., an internationally recognized cancer researcher, and Mark A., a university senior executive.
Clara had an infectious zest for life. She loved family gatherings, from casual get-togethers to the annual Marek family picnics filled with barbecue, softball, cards, and laughter. She was an avid bowler, winning trophies despite her petite frame.
Determined to continue learning, she returned to school as a mother of teenagers, earning her GED, learning shorthand, and becoming an early adopter of computer technology. Her skills led to a decades-long career at Sears, Roebuck & Co., where she became the executive secretary to a division head. Clara had the honor of signing her name on the final beam of the Sears Tower, a landmark she never referred to by its later name, Willis Tower.
A proud Chicagoan, she embraced the city’s culture, from Bears football to tavern-cut pizza and White Castle sliders. She also had a passion for travel, art, and collecting unique items, including cookbooks, angel figurines, and Lithuanian Easter eggs.
Known for her warmth, kindness, and genuine care for others, Clara made fast friends wherever she went.
She will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois, beside her husband, Robert, and near her in-laws, Peter and Violet Kinders.
Clara is survived by her sister, Alice Marx of Chicago; her sons, Robert (Patricia) of Frederick, Maryland, and Mark (Linda) of Bend, Oregon; and her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Christian, Melinda, and Catie of Lawrence, Kansas; Casey and Teresa of Meridian, Mississippi, and their children Cameron, Christian, Vivie, Nate, and Myles; Matthew of Bend, Oregon; and Christina Michalowski of Roseville, California.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters Sophie Marek, Mary Ricker, Anne Barzyk, Adeline Bailey, and Bernice McCormick, and her brothers Frank, Freddie, Joey, and Mickey.
Visitation was held Thursday, March 20, at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S. Archer Ave. Clara’s final resting place is Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Clara Kinders Scholarship at Konza Biological Station, Kansas State University (Account Q74897). Contributions can be sent to the KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan, KS.
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