A memorial service for Clara Savage, age 97, of Milford, will be held Monday, January 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji. A visitation for Clara will begin at 10:00 AM. Friends and family are invited to stay for a lunch and time of fellowship following the service at the church.
Clara Marie Cunningham Savage, 97, passed into the arms of her Savior on Monday, December 1, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake.
Clara was born June 10, 1928, to Ray and Lillian (Ellison) Cunningham in Guntur, state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India, where Ray and Lillian served as missionaries. She was the second of four children.
After a furlough in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, the family returned to India in 1938. During the hot months, Clara and her brothers attended Kodaikanal International School for missionary kids in the mountains.
In 1942, during World War II, the missionaries were evacuated from India. Clara rode with her family in an overloaded troop ship from Bombay to New York. Back in the States, the Cunningham family settled in Des Moines. Clara graduated from East High School, where she played cello, piano, and learned Swedish, along with her regular studies. Clara graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, with a BS and RN in nursing which included the practicum at Trinity Nursing School.
Clara married Glenn Savage on August 20, 1955, at Grand View Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They lovingly welcomed three children to this union, Laurian Ruth, Paul Allen and Timothy David to complete the family.
Clara served with Glenn as he served congregations across the midwest, including Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake and Barrett Lutheran Church in Barrett, MN; St. John Lutheran Church in Killdeer, North Dakota; Lutheran Church in Hub City, South Dakota; Trinity Lutheran (LCA) and Faith Lutheran (ALC) Churches in Sebeka, Minnesota; and as camp manager at Lakeside Lutheran Camp on East Lake Okoboji.
Clara worked as a Registered Nurse at local hospitals including Elbow Lake Hospital and the Tri-County Hospital in Wadena, Minnesota. In Wadena, she mostly worked nights in the Intensive Care Unit and Med/Surg wings. One day, Clara was scheduled to work and Minnesota had a serious snowstorm. Friends had a snowmobile and took her to the highway where she met a coworker to ride to the hospital 16 miles away. When the couple moved to the Lakes Area, Clara worked at the Dickinson County Hospital which became Lakes Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake. She retired in 1992.
In late 1985, Glenn and Clara moved to Milford where they were active in First Lutheran Church in Milford. Clara served as a Stephen’s Minister for many years and worked with the quilting group who made many quilts for the Marie Sandvik Center in the Twin Cities.
Grandpa Glenn and Grandma Clara often had grandchildren at their home. The dressing dip for their veggies that Grandma gave them was the best. Some of them loved the rhubarb bars that was Grandma Clara’s special recipe.
Following Glenn’s passing in January 2014, Clara moved from their home to Heritage Landing Senior Housing in May 2015. In January 2021, she moved to Accura Healthcare in Milford.
Clara is survived by her son, Paul (Marcy) Savage, sister Ruth Ellis, son-in-law Rody Pederson, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Glenn of 59 years, daughter Laurian Pederson, son Tim Savage, brothers and sisters-in-law Robert and Eleanor Cunningham and Ray Jr. and Gloria Cunningham.
Arrangements are under the care of Turner Jenness Funeral Home.
