Clara Mae Binz, 88, of Cuero passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.
She was born on May 8, 1921 in Yorktown, Texas to O.E. and Marie Range Wagenschein. She grew up on a farm and as the eldest daughter, she helped care for her younger siblings. She worked as a telephone operator during World War II. She and Roy E. Binz were married on January 12, 1947 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorktown.

Clara Mae was a traditional homemaker who cared for her husband, three children, and her home. She was a skilled seamstress. Besides sewing clothes for herself and her daughter, she also crafted marvelous, detailed trains for several young women who served as royalty in various pageants in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She served as president of Cuero Hermann Sons Lodge #82 for many years and as Mothers' Club president for the Cuero Hermann Sons dance class. She also made many beautiful costumes for dance recitals. She was a member of the Ladies Fire Auxiliary and American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
She loved growing and tending orchids in her greenhouse and had patience to wait years for them to bloom. She also enjoyed feeding and watching hummingbirds.

She was preceded in death by her son, Roy E. Binz, Jr. in 1992 and her parents.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Roy E. Binz of Cuero, who cared for her tirelessly during her recent illness; her son and daughter-in-law, Dwight and Grace Binz of Cuero; and her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Carl Edwards of Round Rock. Her grandchildren are Shane Ressman of Houston, Michelle Enterline and her husband, Cameron, of Magnolia, Daniel Binz and his wife, Lindsay of Temple, Courtney Edwards of Round Rock and Cody Edwards of Bryan. She has one great-grandchild, Brynna Enterline, of Magnolia. She is also survived by her six siblings – Norman Wagenschein and wife Miriam of Virginia, Viola Ehlinger and husband Leo of San Antonio, Paul Wagenschein and wife Mary Alice of Waco, Frieda Buelter of Yorktown, Erna Mueller and husband G.G. of Sugarland, and Victor Wagenschein and wife Judy of Yorktown.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 7 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 8 at 10 a.m. at Freund Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Charles Eckert officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Hillside Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Cuero Volunteer Fire Department or a charity of your choice.

Freund Funeral Home, 261-275-2343.