Clara Emeline Reppke

Passed away on November 7, 2015. Just 16 days before Clara died, her husband Ralph “Ralphie” Reppke died. Meeting in a chemistry class at Wayne State University, it was love at first sight that always maintained its special glow. They were married for 72 wonderful years. Clara died of a broken heart.

Clara (Bogart) was born in Detroit on March 16, 1921 to Robin and Rhonda Bogart. After graduating from Wayne and working as a laboratory technician, and after Ralph’s return from Europe at the end of World War II, Ralph and Clara had four children: James, Kenneth who died in infancy in 1947, Nancy, and the late Kenneth 1947, and Joseph 2004.

Continuing her family’s long history of loving books and reading, Clara constantly purchased books and read to her children. When her children got older, she applied her fondness of books and reading by becoming an elementary school teacher. Clara was always giving her love, wise insights and help to all. In 1967 she was the runner-up for the Detroit News award as the Best Teacher of the Year. She taught for 20 years.

In 1962 Clara and Ralph purchased a cottage on Lake Saint Clair. And it was at the cottage that, for many years, they greatly enjoyed entertaining friends and relatives. Swimming, boating, and family dinners were always a little wonderfully crazy, and they built many lastly memories. The cottage became the center of family life.

Although she seldom talked about it, Clara’s family has been in America since the very beginning. She was a direct descendent of the very first English settlers of Connecticut and Massachusetts, and a descendant of the very first Dutch settlers of New York. And she really did have an ancestor who arrived on the Mayflower. In addition, Clara’s ancestors participated in the American Revolution, The War of 1812, and the Civil War.

Clara is survived by her son James (Diane) and daughter Nancy, Granddaughter Jennifer (Jeff) Mellas, and Grandson Michael. Great grandmother of Jackson, Jameson, and Jayden.

Private family services were held.

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