Clare Therese Kraegel Nuechterlein, 76, died on May 26, 2026, in hospice care at Covenant Glen in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Clare was born on February 2, 1950 in Rochester, New York to Augusta Milbrath Kraegel and Lowell George Kraegel. Shortly after her birth the family moved to Montgomery County, Maryland where in 1968 she graduated from Wheaton High School. Clare then attended and graduated from Valparaiso University where she received a B.A. in English in 1972. On August 10, 1974 she married Christopher A. Nuechterlein, he survives her. Following graduation and until 1976 Clare taught Seventh Grade English at Thomas Jefferson Junior High in Valparaiso, Indiana. During that time Clare also earned her Master’s degree in English from Valparaiso University. In 1976 Clare and Chris moved to South Bend, Indiana where Clare redirected her career to law. Commuting daily from South Bend to Valparaiso while attending law school, Clare received her Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University in December, 1978.

Four months after graduating from law school, and on the very day she received word that she had passed the Indiana Bar exam, Clare gave birth to their son, Carl. A year and half later a daughter, Anna, joined the family.

In 1980 the Mayor of Goshen, Indiana appointed Clare to be the City Attorney. As City Attorney Clare became intimately involved with the city’s business and part of the management team which supervised all the city’s departments. Clare held this position until 1983 when the family moved to Rockville, Maryland after Chris accepted a position with the United States Department of Justice.

In 1985 Clare resumed her legal career when she was appointed an Attorney Advisor with the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil rights. In this position Clare advised Department of Education officials on the requirements of federal civil rights statutes such as Title 9.

In 1989 Clare, Chris, and the family moved to Sacramento, California where she and Chris were appointed Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of California, United States Department of Justice. In this position Clare developed an expertise and a national reputation in the civil law field of asset forfeiture. Clare was a frequent lecturer at national conferences advising government attorneys and federal agents on the complexities of this developing field of law. She also edited a national publication in this area of law focusing on the federal courts of the western states comprising the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She was recognized for her work in 1999 when she received the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Department of Justice for her work in law enforcement and asset forfeiture.

In 2000 Clare’s legal career developed in another direction when she and Chris returned to South Bend, Indiana, upon the appointment of Chris to the federal bench. Clare ‘s legal career now turned to academia where she was appointed to the faculty of her alma mater, Valparaiso University Law School, as Professor of Law and Practioner-in-Residence. In this position Clare was responsible for teaching law school students legal writing, a field she excelled at. One particular seminar she loved to teach, and one that was intensely popular with the students, was Shakespeare and the Law. In this course law students learned how to use language in creative and persuasive ways. She particularly enjoyed teaching this seminar in Cambridge, England at Valparaiso University Law School’s summer program. At this location she would treat students to seeing Shakespeare performed at the Globe Theater in London or at Stratford on Avon. Cambridge, England was also a favorite place for Clare as that is where she first studied Shakespeare as a young undergraduate.

As law professor she also was the faculty advisor of the law school’s Moot Court team which successfully competed in national and international competitions. However the role she enjoyed the most was as mentor to her students, particularly women, showing them how to successfully balance the often competing demands of family and career. Her students loved her counsel and sage advice.

In 2005 Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels appointed Clare Chairperson of the Indiana Ethics Commission. This commission is responsible for the administration of the ethics laws applicable to all employees of the state. She served on the commission until 2011. In recognition for her service to the State of Indiana Governor Daniels awarded her the Governor’s Distinguished Service Medal.

In August 2016 Clare and Chris retired and relocated to Frankenmuth, Michigan. Though retired, her public service did not stop. The Mayor of Frankenmuth, tapping Clare’s good judgement and knowledge of municipal law from her days as City Attorney of Goshen, Indiana, appointed Clare to serve on the Frankenmuth Planning Commission. She served on the Commission until February of this year.

Clare is remembered for her keen mind, quick wit, welcoming smile, a comforting countenance, and as a good and loyal friend to all. She enjoyed her friends, loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and continued to teach and mentor young people throughout the remainder of her life. She loved to travel, hitting all fifty states and five continents, enjoyed discussing good books with her friends, music, and baking, particularly her orange rolls. Upon retirement Clare also became an avid knitter and crossword enthusiast.

Clare was a member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and Frankenmuth Women’s Club.

Clare is survived by her husband, Chris, her son Carl Christoph Nuechterlein, granddaughter Hailey Nuechterlein, grandson Ethan Nuechterlein, daughter Anna Clare Nuechterlein Rathmann, son-in-law Martin Rathmann, grandson August Rathmann, granddaughter Mary Rathmann, and grandson Gideon Rathmann, also a brother, Fred Kraegel and sister in law Karen, brother William Kraegel and sister in law Teresa, brother John Kraegel and sister in law JoAnne, sister Ann Kraegel Waggaman and brother in law Paul as well an numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for the compassionate care Clare received from the doctors, nurses, and staff of Covenant Hospital in Saginaw, Covenant Glen in Frankenmuth, and Covenant Hospice.

Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, 1030 W. Tuscola, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Clare’s family will receive visitors at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St. on Monday, June 8, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Music Department at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Lutheran World Relief or any other charity of their choice.