La Fetra—Names in Perpetuity

Written by Joe Fracasse

Thursday, 28 January 2010

A lthough Orton Englehart invented the Rain Bird, it was Clement (Clem) and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) La Fetra who provided the marketing know-how, and launched Rain Bird Sprinkler Manufacturing Corporation. When Clement passed away in 1963,  “Betty took full control of the company and ran it with creativeness and brains that assured its success,” said her granddaughter, Heidi Ludwick (Hanson), in an article featured in the Glendoran magazine, Jan/Feb, 1985. In 1952 Mary Elizabeth and Clement received the highest honor given by the community when they were selected as “Citizens of the Year”.  In 1987 their daughter, Sarah, and her husband Art Ludwick, were bestowed with the same honor.  Betty and Clem’s “get down and dirty” attitude towards community service was a brilliant example that inspired others to follow their lead. They led not only their family through example, but the entire community as well.  Although Glendora was where they both lived and worked, their charitable efforts extended well beyond its boundaries. These strong philanthropic views were passed down to Betty and Clem’s children and grandchildren. It was through the generosity of Art and Sarah Ludwick that the Bandholdt home was saved from destruction.  Not only was the historic house preserved, but the La Fetra family donated the building to the city for use as a Senior Center. The Mary E. & Clement M. La Fetra Center was dedicated on May 14, 1991 memorializing two of Glendora’s outstanding citizens.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 March 2010 )