Clara Micklin Obituary

Micklin, Clara Z. died after a full life on January 9, 2008. She was born on Christmas Day 1917 to Eligius and Charlotte Zagroba in East Chicago, IN. The family moved to Chicago, where Clara spoke Polish in their home and community until she entered first grade. A bright and hard-working student, Clara learned quickly and was promoted from first grade to third. Her studies were interrupted during the Great Depression when she left full-time high school to get a job and help support her family. She earned her high school diploma by attending night school, which was characteristic of her positive nature, perseverance and the high value she placed on education. She continued her education throughout her life--reading everything from Shakespeare to Edwin O'Conner, traveling , serving as President of Edwards School PTA, and encouraging learning and adventure in her children, grandchildren and all of the adults and children who were fortunate enough to know her. Clara met Albert F. Micklin at a dance in her parish hall, and they were married in 1940. She had four children--Barbara (Stojan Tatic), Mary (the late Patrick J. Dorgan), Frank (Peggy Fanning) and Veronica (Michael Pajonk). However, far more children filled the kitchen and dining room tables as she opened our home to all relatives and friends. She baked the most delicious bacon buns and kugelis and was always willing to cut her homemade bread a little thinner to feed another. Each bed had a homemade quilt and we cannot count how many colorful afghans she made to warm those she loved. Her many jobs included waitressing, school cafeteria lunch lady, and polishing rocker arms on B52's during World War II. She was an adventurous traveler who did not get on an airplane until she was 60 years old. Clara traveled extensively, enjoying everything from Easter Mass in Notre Dame, collecting sea shells in Grenada, watching the sun rise in Alaska and waiting for four deuces in Las Vegas. Clara was witty, tolerant, creative, independent and resourceful. She could be trusted with secrets and was always good company. Her grandchildren, Marie King ( Jason), Patrick Dorgan (fiancé Stacey Beute), Frank Micklin (Ursula), Donna Ivaneisevic (Dejan ), Mia (Gordon Beckman), Albert Dorgan (Carrie), Joe Micklin (Laurie), Amy Aylward (Michael), Barbara Tatic (fiancé Shawn Lawson), Olga Tatic, Marko Tatic (Lisa) and Eric Pajonk enjoyed their Busia's wisdom and sense of humor. Her thirteen great grandchildren, will hear stories about her life from their parents. Clara is also survived by her sister Harriet Baker, sister-in-law Bernice Micklin, nieces and nephews, and many friends. Visitation Friday, 3 to 9 p.m., at Modell Funeral Home, 7710 S. Cass Ave., Darien, where funeral services will be held Saturday, at 10 a.m. Interment St. Casimir Cemetery. For funeral info: 630-852-3595.