Christian Biography of Clarabelle Hajny

Clarabelle Ernestine Vader was born to Jake and Ernestine Vader August 17, 1933, at their home near Webber, Kansas. She was seven months old when her father moved the family to a farm near Burr Oak, ½ mile south of what is known as the home place before moving to the home place in 1937. Clarabelle attended Oak Creek Country School through 8th grade then attended Mankato High School, graduating in May, 1951.

In late August 1948, Clarabelle became very ill. It was thought to be the flu but she was ultimately diagnosed with Polio. The day she was to begin her sophomore year at Mankato High School, she was admitted to Asbury Hospital in Salina, Kansas where she spent the next eight weeks. She recovered without paralysis. It was the first of December before she was able to go back to school. Despite the setback, Clarabelle caught up with her class and graduated with her usual good grades.

After graduation, Clarabelle was employed as a teller and secretary taking dictation and writing correspondence at the State Exchange Bank in Mankato. She stayed in town with her grandparents, Harlow and Ella B. Vader and went home on weekends.

Clarabelle married Carroll Hajny September 4, 1951, in Miltonvale, Kansas. Their first home was an apartment in Mankato. Clarabelle continued to work at the bank until the Spring of 1952, when they moved to their first farm. Their life together was blessed by four children, Dennis, Glenn, Rick and Rita.

The couple farmed together until Carroll died in 1993 of cancer. Clarabelle took a course at the Hastings Community College in Hastings, Nebraska to become a CNA then worked in the Superior Nebraska nursing home until she retired in March 1998.

Clarabelle moved to Jewell, Kansas where she enjoyed being active in several clubs, some travel, and the thing she enjoyed most, time with her family. Later Clarabelle would move to Superior before going to Mankato Long Term Care where she passed peacefully on March 9, 2024.

Clarabelle was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years Carroll Hajny; parents Jake and Ernestine Vader (Superior, NE); one brother Jerry Vader and Peggy (Malsbury) Vader (Superior, NE): two sisters Shirley and Harold Steele (Cheyenne, WY); and Jacqueline Whelchel (Erie, KS).

Clarabelle is survived by her four children, Dennis (Burr Oak, KS), Glenn (Belleville, KS), Rick and Tammy (Ellis, KS), Rita (Hajny) and Ron McKee (Des Moines); one brother Harlow (Mankato, KS) as well as nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.

Services at: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, Superior, Nebraska
Time of Service: Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00 am
Clergy: Rod Rose
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery, Superior, Nebraska
Memorials to: in care of the family to be determined later
Visitation: From 4:00 pm-8:00 pm on Friday with the family present from 6-8 at the Megrue-Price Funeral Home
Funeral Home: Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 Phone 402-879-3900