Klara Waidelich Schnatter, 83, passed away peacefully the morning of June 12, 2003. Klara’s heart failed. She was born in Zeutern, Germany, Nov. 26, 1919, to Jacob and Rosa (Keller) Waidelich. She was a farm girl and knew hard work from childhood onward.

Klara was 16 years old when relatives in America paid her passage to the United States on the steamship Bremmen. The crossing was stormy but Klara never forgot the wonder of the Statue of Liberty as the Bremmen pulled into New York Harbor and made its way to Ellis Island.

Klara had a hat, coat, small valise and no English when she landed. She went to work and paid her relatives the passage price they had advanced her. Klara never stopped working. She was willing to work any honorable job, from cleaning homes to managing the deli department for a branch of A&P in New York City.

In 1945, Klara married Master Sergeant Walter Schnatter in Brooklyn, N.Y. Walter was also born in Germany, but was a decorated U.S. soldier for his Army service in Iwo Jima.

Klara and Walter had one child, Rose Newman. When Rose moved to Whidbey Island, Klara and Walter followed. Four generations of the family are now living in Oak Harbor.

Klara is survived by her husband Walter Schnatter; by daughter Rose Newman and husband, Paul Newman; by one grandson Sean Byrne and wife Theresa; and great-grandchildren, Ryan and Erin Byrne. All will miss her.

Private family graveside services will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Oak Harbor with Pastor Jerry Buss of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church officiating. She will be buried next to her beloved grandson, Keith J. Byrne, who proceeded her into God’s loving embrace. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western and Central State Chapter, 12721 30th Avenue NE, Ste. 101, Seattle, WA 98125. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington. This obituary is on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com