AVA - Greta Clendenin (nee Larson), 93, New Haven, MO, formerly of Ava, IL, passed away November 16, 2025.

Greta, daughter of the late Louis and Ella (Leifheit) Larson was born on August 22, 1932, in Sublette, IL.

Greta graduated from Mendota High School in 1950. On October 2, 1954, she was united in marriage to

Wilbur Clendenin at Mendota, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Wilbur Clendenin; sisters Ellen Kawecki and Grace

Blotch.

Greta is survived by her children: Cathy (Scott) Nelson of High Ridge, MO; Harry Clendenin and Ann

Runner of Troy, OH; Karen (Rodney) Wood of New Haven, MO; and (Melinda) Ralph Clendenin of

Columbia, MO; her grandchildren – Gail Clendenin and Gunter Eickert, Nate Clendenin, Jalee (Stuart)

Helmuth, Sam Clendenin, Jonathan Nelson, Brad (Jodie) Clendenin, Brett Clendenin and Summer (Isaac)

Anderson, great grandchildren Charlotte and Henry Clendenin and step-great grandchildren Ezri and

Thorin Eickert.

Greta worked for National Food Stores corporate headquarters as a secretary. After marrying, she cared

for her children at home in Downers Grove, IL 1957-1964, and then Memphis, TN 1964-1967, before

moving to a farm outside of Ava, Illinois in 1967 and becoming a busy mom and wife of a farmer. She

and Wilbur, farmed until 1977, owned Tri-County Lawn and Tractor a John Deere lawn equipment

dealership from 1980-1993, and then they both retired. In 2018, Greta moved to Washington, MO area

for the remainder of her life to be closer to her two daughters.

Visitation will be held at Wilson Funeral Home in Ava, Illinois, on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 10:00am-

12:00pm with funeral service at 12:00pm with Rev. Bob Spangler officiating and burial will immediately be following at Ebenezer

Cemetery, Rockwood, IL. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, 11/22/2025 from 1:00-3:00pm at

Faith Baptist Church, Washington, MO.

Memorial donations may be made to Faith Baptist Church.