Our dear, loving and always gracious mother, Clara Jane Wernette Madden, 96, passed away at home in Lompoc, California on Saturday, December 6, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Clara was born at home in Clay Center, Kansas to John and Mary Wernette. She graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1947, attended Nursing School at Marymount College for one year and then finished her nursing education at St. John's Hospital, in Salina Kansas where she received her RN and Kansas State Board of Nurse Registration.

While working as a nurse in Clay Center, Clara met the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) Madden who had returned to the area after finishing his Navy commitment. Two years later, Clara and Jerry were married on May 30, 1951, at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Clay Center, Kansas.

Soon after their marriage, they moved to El Reno, Oklahoma, for Jerry's job with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Clara continued to work as a nurse and they also started their family in El Reno with their first two sons, Patrick and Gerald Joseph "Joe". Their next move took them to Denver, Colorado where their last three children were born: Douglas, Mary and Timothy. At this point, Clara stayed home to care for the family. After about 13 years in Colorado, the family moved to Reedsville, West Virginia for 1.5 years and then to Lompoc, California where Jerry retired and where they spent the remainder of their retirement years together. Clara was a homemaker for 74 years.

Clara loved being surrounded by her family, especially the grand babies. Whether it was for fun and games, family celebrations, or just lively conversation and story telling Clara always made sure everyone was fed and well cared for.

Some of Clara's favorite things included gardening, watching the hummingbirds, baking treats and making special desserts. A family favorite and Thanksgiving tradition is her strawberry cheesecake (a recipe from her sister Margie), better known as "pink stuff" and loved by all the kids, grandkids and now great grandkids.

Though dementia limited Clara's ability to interact, she knew she was loved, and she frequently expressed her gratitude with a smile and by saying thank you many times throughout the day. We are comforted to know that Mom is in Heaven with the rest of her family and we will dearly miss her until we meet again.

Family members whom Clara joins in Heaven are her husband, Gerald Francis, sons Patrick Wayne and Gerald Joseph, as well as her parents John & Mary Wernette, brothers John, Gene and Charles "Bub" Wernette, sisters, Florence Marie "Sis" Wernette, Josephine "Dodie" Gardner, Lois Ann "Lou" Thompson, and Marguerite "Margie" Dowd.

Her living relatives include her son Timothy, her daughter Mary (husband Terry), her son Douglas (wife Beverly), and daughters-in-law Robin and Patricia, as well as 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

The family is grateful for the caregivers that contributed so much to the excellent and compassionate care provided to Clara. For the Assisted Hospice team that helped us keep close watch over Clara. For her primary care Dr. Carl Schlosser and his team who were always so helpful to us in caring for Clara. And especially the dedication and sacrifice of Tim, Pat and Robin, Mary and her husband Terry, over the past 10 years all providing exceptional loving care and support for Clara throughout this long journey with dementia.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Rev. Altaire Fernandez, Celebrant. Burial will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.