Claudia M. Held

Mrs. Claudia M. Held, age 71, died September 15, 2009 at her home in LaPorte, IN with her loving family at her side. A memorial service will be held Tuesday September 22, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Carlisle Funeral Home, with Rev Gerald Schweitzer officiating of St. Mary Catholic Church, Otis, IN. Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place 1:00 P.M. Wednesday September 23, 2009 at Holy Apostles Cemetery, New Berlin, WI. Claudia was born August 24, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Joseph and Matilda (Wisenewski) Gorski, both of whom preceded her in death. On September 29, 1956 in Milwaukee, she married Conrad F. Held, and moved to New Berlin, Wisconsin in 1963 where they lived and raised a family for 25 years. Claudia, with her husband Conrad, was a resident of LaPorte for the past 21 years, since 1988. Claudia was an adored wife, beloved mother, revered grandmother and extraordinary homemaker who cherished time with her family. Above all else, she loved her kids. She extended her love and care as well to other children. She was a highly respected and regarded caregiver/babysitter for over 15 years in New Berlin for many of the school teachers of the New Berlin public schools. She had also worked as a school bus driver for the New Berlin public school system. After she and her husband relocated to LaPorte, she continued to serve children while working for the Michigan City Area Schools food service program for several years. Claudia enjoyed embroidering, reading, gardening, as well as bowling and golfing with her husband. She and her husband were members of Pottowattomie Country Club. Claudia loved cooking and caring for her family, and always looked forward to visiting with her grandchildren. She lived for the treasured time spent with her children and grandchildren. Claudia (“Mom”, “Nany”) will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Claudia is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Conrad F. Held, of La Porte. Also surviving are her daughters Carlene A. (Darius) Palia of Westfield, New Jersey, ret. Lt. Col. Christine J. (Major Brian) Bigham of Waynesville, Missouri, son Curtis C. Held of Michigan City, grandchildren Sophia, Alyson and Eric Palia of Westfield, New Jersey, and sister Judith “Judy” (Paul) Napierala of St. Germaine, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her eldest daughter, Cheryl L. Held on Nov. 6, 1982, and her brothers Joseph & Justin Gorski. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cheryl L. Held Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Eisenhower High School, 4333 S. Sunnyslope Rd., New Berlin, WI 53151