Clara Louise Reida was born on March 26, 1935 in a box car along the river in Viola, Kansas to Clara Margaret (Shauf) Simon and Ralph John Simon.  She was the fourth born of nine children: Elma, Helen, Pearl, Joan, Esther, Jim, Rosie, and Linda.  Clara was raised and attended school in Viola, Kansas.

In July of 1952, Clara was united in marriage to Jesse Thomas Blankenship in Wichita, Kansas.  They were blessed with 5 children: Karen Sue, Thomas Lee, Pamela Gay, Sherry Lynn, and Cynthia Ruth.

After moving to a farm outside of Norwich, Kansas in 1967, Clara stayed very active raising five children and being a homemaker.  She loved joining in on all aspects of farm life: including driving the tractor, working in the fields, and tending to the livestock.  In addition to all of that, Clara started a career as a CNA at Pykiet Manor in Harper, Kansas in 1970.  She quickly advanced to a position as a CMA (Certified Medical Aid) and eventually became the Social Director.  After moving to Kansas City in 1976, Clara became a Home Health Nurse.

In 1989, Clara was united in marriage to Roy Reida, adding three sons to her family.  They took up residency in Harper until her passing.  Clara continued her health career with Home Comfort until retiring.  She then filled her retirement days with flower gardening, camping, baking, and cooking for her grandkids.  Clara was a member of the Church of Christ.

Throughout her life, Clara was blessed with the natural gift of playing both the piano and organ by ear and she loved sharing her music with everyone.  She was an amazing mother, wife, sister, and friend to many.  Clara was blessed with 5 children, 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild, leaving behind an amazing legacy.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Elma Johnson, Helen Schmeisner, Linda Heird, Pearl Simon, and Jim Simon.  She is survived by her husband, Roy Reida of the home in Harper; children: Karen Case and her husband Steven of Dubuque, Iowa, Thomas Blankenship of Manchester, Oklahoma, Pamela Schrant and her husband Terry of Wichita, Sherry Struble and her husband, Mike of Anthony, and Cynthia Sinnett and her husband John of Kansas City, Missouri; step-children: Tony Reida and his wife Priscilla of Nevada; Scott Reida and his wife Tracy of Wichita, and Jeffery Reida and his wife Kate of Wichita; siblings: Joan Worley, Esther Cannon, and Rosie Hutchison; 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; other relatives and friends.

Visitation is 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m Thursday with family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral Service is 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2022 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home, Harper with Mr. Eddie Barber officiating.

Cremation will follow and inurnment will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Eastside Church of Christ or Country Care Hospice and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th ~ Harper, Kansas  67058