Clara Mae Umstead

Clara Mae Umstead, 91, of Fullerton, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, at South Haven Living Center in Wahoo.

A celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, at Palmer-Santin Funeral Home in Fullerton with Jeff Sears officiating. Burial of ashes will follow at Fullerton Cemetery in Fullerton. Palmer-Santin Funeral Home is serving the family.

Clara Mae was born in Central City to Clifford and Crystal (Good) Hawthorne on Dec. 6, 1931, the fourth of six children. The family moved to Fullerton, where she attended school and met her one and only. She married Leslie Umstead on Feb. 21, 1949. They have four children: Steve (Neva) Umstead of Fullerton, David (Roxanne) Umstead of Marquette, Catharine (Roger) Heedum of Omaha and Karen (Timothy) Zona of Gretna. She also had nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She started her career in 1960, when she began working at Fullerton National Bank as a file clerk. She was promoted multiple times throughout her banking career and was Vice President when she retired in 1997. She also served as President in the Nebraska Women Banker Association. She loved going to their cabin, fishing and enjoyed their two winter homes they had in much warmer climates. In her past time, she enjoyed sewing and made quilts for all her children and grandchildren. She was an avid Husker sports fan and loved watching the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Umstead; granddaughter, Susann Zona; parents, Clifford and Crystal Hawthorne; brother, Merrill Hawthorne; and sisters, Norma MacDonald, Verta Jean Brummett and Janet Hawthorne.

Memorials are suggested to South Haven Living Center in Wahoo in memory of Clara Umstead.