Clara Arnsdorff Freyermuth celebrated her 100th birthday Jan. 12.

Born in 1922 as the youngest child of Claudie and Hattie Arnsdorff, she grew up on Turkey Branch Road with her nine older brothers and sisters. She met her future husband, George, while picking cotton at the age of 13. They enjoyed almost 66 years of married life before he passed away in 2009. She and George had one son, Jerry, and daughter-in-law, Sophie. She also has three granddaughters, Tara Aiken (Tim), Greta Coleman (Johnny), and Serena Harden (Adam), and six great grandchildren, Cassidy, Hunter and Shelby Aiken, Jaci and John Daniel Coleman, and Ross Harden.

Everyone who knows Freyermuth knows how much she loves to cook. She enjoyed feeding all of her many guests who often came to visit in hopes of getting a bite to eat while enjoying her company. She also loves to crochet and has gifted many of her friends and family with an afghan on special occasions or just because she wanted to do so. Gardening has always been another love of hers, as anyone who has ever visited her and seen her yard can attest. She and George enjoyed visiting their many friends and extended family as well. She has always been a friend and confidant to many of her friends and family. Although she worked part time at the Star Department Store in Springfield and as a substitute lunch lady for Effingham County, she mostly enjoyed being a housewife and taking care of her family.

Freyermuth was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 209 where her husband, George, was a member. She was also an active member of the Clyo Homemaker’s Club. She is a life-long member of Bethel Lutheran Church.

Friends and family held a celebration Jan. 9 at Bethel for Clara. Many of her family and friends came out to see her and wish her well.