June 28, 1915 - April 14, 2016
Clara Olga Moore Obituary
(Age 100) Clara Olga Moore died peacefully after living a full life at almost 101 years of age. She was born in Great Falls, Montana on June 28, 1915 to Agatha and Ole Vervick and baptized at St. Paul?s Lutheran in Fairfield, MT. She was a lifelong Lutheran. Her parents were from Stavanger, Norway and raised her and her siblings on their Fairfield, Montana farm. Following the death of her father, a baker, during the influenza pandemic of 1918, Clara had to live with another family for a few years before returning home to be with her mother, her sister Agnes, and her three brothers: Arthur, Ole, and Bert. They all preceded her in death.
She graduated from Power High School in 1934 and from Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana. She also attended University of Montana. Clara began teaching in a one-room school house in Scobey, Montana and later taught 4th grade at Opportunity grade school. After getting certified at Holy Names College to teach Physical Education, she taught P.E. in the Central Valley District at Opportunity Grade School, Greenacres Junior High, Bowdish Junior High, and University High School. Clara coached winning tennis, gymnastics, and basketball teams. She returned to school at Eastern Washington University to get a Library Science Degree and ended her teaching career at the University High School library.
Clara and her mother traveled back to the family farm in Stavanger in 1953. Her Norwegian heritage was passed on to her children and grandchildren, teaching them how to make family favorites like krumkake.
She married Roderick G. Moore on June 5, 1941 in Anchorage, Alaska; they were married for 59 years. Following retirement, Clara and Rod enjoyed many years of traveling the country in their Blue Bird motor coach.
Clara is survived by one daughter, Janis K. (and Keith) McGraw of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and two sons, Roderick G. Moore II (and Debbie Sue) of Valparaiso, Indiana; and Robert D. Moore (and Debbie Ann) of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Clara is also survived by grandchildren Andrea (and Scott) Reid, Ryan (and Nicole) Warne-McGraw; Angela (and John) Galipeau, Jennifer (and Leonard) Danero, Mary (and Eric) Horowitz of Boston, MA, Rachel (and Brad) Smeja, Rory Moore, Micah (and Kelsey) Moore, Andrew Moore; Meredith (and Jacob) Humble and Mariette (and Nick) Sciubba.
She leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren, including Lauren, Summer, and Hayden; Kinzie, Audrey, and Lily; Chase, Sean, Nathan, Elana, Colin, Justin, Ethan, Elesandra, Paisley, Eli; and Lucas, Cavin, Harmony, and Talon.
The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Touchmark Retirement home for their unflagging care of Clara over the last seven years.
Clara was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and held various offices in that organization. Additionally, she was part of VFW Post 1435. Memorial contributions may be made to: Delta Kappa Gamma ETA Chapter,
Scholarship Fund in care of Sherri Wagemann, 10005 E. Augusta, Spokane Valley, WA 99206-4112; -OR- VFW Auxiliary, c/o VFW Post 1435
S. 212 David Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99212-0708.
Service for Clara Olga Moore, 100, will be at 3:00 p.m. April 30 at Heritage Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park.
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