Clara Riedel

Clara Barbara Streckfus Riedel, 94, Topeka, died on September 13, 2012 at Midland Hospice House. She was born on June 25, 1918 in Salina, Kansas, the daughter of Edward Joseph Streckfus and Mary Eleanor O’Shea. She graduated in 1935 from Sacred Heart High School in Salina, and attended Marymount College, also in Salina. She married Joseph A. Riedel on June 1, 1943. Clara enjoyed a life-long interest in business, and was a vocal advocate for women in business and women entrepreneurs. She owned and operated Clara’s Clothes Closet for 30 years, from 1958-1988. It was Clara’s personal privilege to assist ladies from Topeka and surrounding communities when they shopped in her store for those special occasions that called for just the right dress. She also enjoyed working in recent years at Glass Expressions, a business owned by her daughter Margaret Weidenbaker. The Topeka Mid-Day Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association honored Clara with their Woman of the Year award in 1979, 1981, and 1983 - 84. Clara served on the Marymount College Board of Directors from 1980-1986 in several positions including Chairwoman. She also served on the Finance Committee for six years, including Chairwoman, for two years. Clara loved to garden, quilt and spend time with her family. Clara’s niece-in-law, Nancy Scanlan, described Clara’s energy and zest for life fittingly, saying “I spent the summer with Clara and Joe in 1972, and she amazed me daily. Clara would get up early and make pickles, bake homemade cookies for Joe's snack, do laundry, wash dishes and more, all before she went off to work.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. Riedel, her daughter, Mary Katherine “Mary Kay” Riedel Bachmann Dowd, and her sister, Mary Katherine Streckfus Scanlan. She is survived by daughters, Margie Weidenbaker, Topeka; Patt Papenfuhs, Kansas City, MO; Barbara Riedel-O’Leary, Overland Park; son, Joseph Andrew Riedel, Jr., Atlanta; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and her brother Edward Joseph Streckfus, Jr., Lakin, KS. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Mon., at Christ the King Church, 5973 SW 25th St, Topeka, KS. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church on Tuesday, at 10 a.m., followed by burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Clara’s name to the Clara B Riedel Scholarship Fund at Washburn University, or the Father Peter O’Sullivan Scholarship Fund for Hayden High School, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614.

Clara Riedel

June 25, 1918 - September 17, 2012