Clara Fumusa

Clara Elizabeth Fumusa (née Dorchester), age 88 passed peacefully with family by her side on 9/24/24. Clara was born on 4/12/1936 to Kenneth and Zilda Dorchester in Durand, WI.

Clara graduated from Durand High School where she enjoyed participating in sports and music activities. Clara was proud of being first chair trumpet player in her high school band and was also proud to play taps at local military funerals. Clara loved spending time on her grandparents’ farm helping with chores along with her two brothers and her many first cousins. Clara had fond memories of swimming in the creek at the farm as well as the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers.

Clara moved to Madison after High School to attend Madison Business College to be a court reporter but God had other plans for her. She met the love of her life, Peter Michael Fumusa, at a local dance and the pair were married six months later. Clara and Peter were married for 65 years. They were blessed with 10 children, Elizabeth (John) DeMinico, Joseph Fumusa, Theresa Otto (friend, Rodney), Mary (John) Eggers, Linda (John) Isola, Vince (Tammy) Fumusa, Barbara (Terry) Strohmeyer, Laura Wiemers, Dominic (Ilana) Fumusa and Nancy (Matt) Walter. Clara loved her 10 children with her whole heart and dedicated her life to her family.

Clara had a strong faith in God. The family was a longtime member of Christ the King Church, dating back to when the church first opened in McFarland in 1970. Clara was in the church choir and volunteered in many church activities, and took great pride in that.

Later on, Clara enjoyed traveling with Peter to New Orleans and California to visit family and friends.

Clara was a loving grandmother to 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren (one on the way).

Clara was famous for her smile, kindness and everlasting hugs. She was always positive, and made it a point to make others feel special.

Clara is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her dear brother Robert and sister-in-law, Dorothy Dorchester, along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Peter; parents, Kenneth and Zilda Dorchester; brother, James Dorchester; grandson, Jacob Strohmeyer; mother and father-in-law, Joseph and Josephine Fumusa; and sister-in-law, Catherine Fumusa.

The family would like to thank the staff at Rennes Health and Rehab, Thedacare Hospice and Renaissance Assisted Living for their kind and compassionate care of Clara.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5306 Main Street, McFarland WI 53558 with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 12:00 PM. Private entombment will take place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Madison.

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