Lorna L. Claywell

Lorna Lavera Claywell, 96, of Hendersonville, NC and formerly of Herber Springs, AR and Onarga, IL passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Universal Healthcare in Fletcher, NC.

Lorna was born on February 12, 1927 in Leola, SD, the daughter of Heye and Katie (Osterhaus) Ferdinand. She married Robert "Bob" Claywell on April 19, 1953 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Schwer and he preceded her in death on December 4, 2013. She was also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Brian Claywell; four brothers; and two sisters.

She is survived by one son, Michael (Kathy) Claywell of Hendersonville, NC; two grandchildren, Cameron Claywell of Raleigh, NC and Kristen (Wesley) Szempruch of Apex, NC; and two great grandchildren, Rory and Paxton Szempruch of Apex, NC.

She moved to Iroquois County at the age of three, first to Milford and then to Watseka until she graduated from high school. Shortly after marrying Robert, they moved to Onarga and began farming. Lorna was a secretary at State Farm and later at Radio Condenser. She worked more than twenty years as a bookkeeper for the grain elevators in Ridgeville and Thawville. Upon retiring from farming in Onarga, they relocated to Heber Springs, AR in 1990. While there, she became heavily involved in volunteer activities primarily with Cleburne County Cares and Hope Lutheran. Upon the death of Robert, she relocated to Lakeville, MN and continued her volunteer work with Hosanna Church. While in Minnesota she took up painting. She later moved to North Carolina in 2021.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilman. Rev. Pete Hinrich will officiate. Burial will follow at the Onarga Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilman or the Brian Claywell Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements by Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.

Please share a memory of Lorna at knappfuneralhomes.com