Claire (Mutzl) Wagner

Claire (Mutzl) Wagner, a long-time resident of South Bend, IN, passed away peacefully on her 92nd birthday, April 22nd, 2026, at Story Point Assisted Living in Granger, IN.

Clarie was born on April 22, 1934, in Niles, MI before her family moved to Elkhart, IN, where she was raised along with sisters, Margaret and Christiana, and brother, Richard (Dick).  She graduated from Elkhart High School in 1952.  Following high school, Claire went to college, starting at Ball State University before graduating from Purdue University, where she designed and made the Marching Band majorettes’ uniforms.

Claire is survived by her son, Thomas, of Oak Park, IL and sister, Christiana Zilke, of Bridgman, MI and was preceded in death last year by her husband of almost 68 years, Richard, and her beloved daughter, Karin (Rice), of Chicago, sister Margaret Moore and brother Richard Mutzl, both of Elkhart.

As a high school graduation gift from her parents, Frida and Max, Claire travelled to Germany to visit her parent’s families.  This is where she met her future husband, Richard.  Richard moved to the U.S. a few years thereafter and they were married in Elkhart in 1957.

After college, Claire taught school in Elkhart before marrying.  After marrying, Claire and Richard moved to New York/New Jersey where Claire continued teaching for a short period before following her passion for designing clothes and became a custom dressmaker and designer for Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

A few years later, they returned to the Elkhart/South Bend area where they opened a gift shop in downtown South Bend.  They then moved to Ann Arbor, MI where they settled and raised their two children.

While in Ann Arbor, Claire earned a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and taught briefly before again following her passion for designing, sewing and entrepreneurship, and along with her husband, opened and operated a fine fabrics store, Riccard Fabrics.

After retirement, Claire and Richard moved to South Bend  to be closer to family and their cherished cottage that they built themselves in the 1970’s, in Bridgman, MI on land Claire’s parents had owned and built a cottage and where her sisters also built.  They travelled extensively, to Germany to visit relatives, Mexico, Canada, throughout the U.S including Alaska, and spent much of their time at their cottage in Bridgman, where family always gathers.    

Claire was fluent in German, was very strong willed and independent (passed down to her daughter), had an adventurous and inquisitive nature and had a passion for sewing, reading non-fiction, learning, travel, and was a wonderful cook, cooking delicious German meals from recipes handed down from her mother and mother-in-law.

Claire and Richard lived the past 4 years at Story Point Assisted Living in Granger. 

A celebration of life will be held at Palmer Funeral Home - Bubb Chapel, 3910 North Main Street, Mishawaka, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026  from 1:00pm. ~ 3:00pm.

All friends and acquaintances are welcome to visit and join in a celebration of Claire and Richards life with family.

Condolences may be left on our website; www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.