Clara Mae Petz

May 23, 1934 - May 31, 2020

Clara Mae Petz, 86, of Pratt, Kansas, died on Sunday, May 31st, 2020 at Pratt Regional Medical Center with her family surrounding her. She was born in Kingman, Kansas on May 23rd, 1934. She was the daughter of Robert E. Simons and Laura V. Swartz-Simons and married Lawrence "Bud" Petz on August 28th, 1956, who is currently residing in St. John at Leisure Homestead. Clara was employed at both banks in Kingman and Pratt, Kansas previous to the birth of her children. After the children were older she worked a number of years at Furniture Manor in Pratt, Kansas. Clara and Bud established many rental properties around Pratt, which kept her very busy throughout the 80s. Upon retiring Clara and Bud immensely enjoyed their time in Weslaco, Texas at a resort called Southern Comfort. These were some of the best days of their lives as they formed many lifelong friendships with many beautiful people. One of the highlights there for Clara was Bingo Night. She was really good at winning money! Above and beyond everything else, Clara was the most loving, caring mother and being a homemaker and mother were the things she took the most pride in during her life. As a child, Clara was born at home on a farm in Kingman county. She recently shared stories of her early life on the farm. She stated, "Her pets were a dog named 'Dog,' a chicken, and a turtle named Tommy." She attended a one room schoolhouse where there was only one other student until her younger brother, Gale, joined her in school. Clara loved to fish and after marrying Bud they enjoyed many fun times at Lake Wilson and a place known as, "The Lease" near Cairo, not far from Pratt. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert E. Simons and Laura V. Swartz-Simons. She is survived by her brother Dr. Gale Simons of Manhattan, Kansas. Her three children, Lori Petz of Haviland, Dan Petz of Pratt, Judi Petz-Reiter of Denver, six grandchildren: Matthew Higgins, Mound City, KS, Nicholas Luallin, Portland, OR, Allen Petz, Broken Arrow, OK, Brooke Luallin-Nealley, Denver, CO, Maverick Petz, Pratt, KS, and Jason Petz, Pratt, KS, and thirteen great grandchildren. Visitation will be on Thursday evening, June 4th, 2020 from 6-8pm at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Rd., Pratt, KS 67124. Funeral Services will be a private graveside ceremony with immediate family only attending, with father Mike Klag presiding. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Pratt, Kansas. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Church, Pratt, Kansas.