Born: 20 May 1911, Ben Wade twp, Pope Co, MN
Married: 3 Oct 1936, Pope Co, MN
Died: 1 Dec 1994, Starbuck, Pope Co, MN
Buried: Trysil-Bethesda cemetery, Holmes City twp, MN
Spouse: Murville J. Femrite
Newspaper obituary:
Clara Femrite, 83
Clara Stivland Femrite was born on May 20, 1911 in Ben Wade Township
of Pope County, Minnesota. Clara’s father, Christian Stivland died
before her birth leaving her mother, Anna, with three small children.
At this time, Anna’s sister, Borghilde, lovingly know as “Aunty”, came
from Norway to assist with their care.
Anna and Carl Johnson were later married and the family made their
home on a farm in Pope County. Clara was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Norunga Lutheran Church. She attended Pope County School District No 76 and graduated from Glenwood High School in 1929. Through Luther League activities at Oscar Lake Lutheran Church she met her future husband, Murville. Clara worked for Dr MacIver in Lowry and in Minneapolis prior to her marriage.
On October 3, 1936, Clara and Murville were married at Norunga
Lutheran Church. They made their home on a farm in Holmes City Township for 38 years where Clara assisted in the raising of their four children. In 1974 the couple retired and moved to La Grande Township. They were active members of First Lutheran Church in Alexandria where Clara worked with the women’s organizations including Dorcas Circle, and helping in the church nursery. Clara created many baby quilts for family and friends, loved to plant flowers and enjoyed being part of her
Neighborhood Birthday Group.
Clara died at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home at Starbuck on December 1, 1994. She was 83 years of age. Preceding her in death were her
parents, step-father; brother Henry Stivland and his wife Mildred; and a
sister, Rhoda and her husband Chester Stark.
She is survived by her husband Murville; children: Cecelia Bowers of
Midlothian, VA; Elizabeth and husband Bob Nelson of New Prague; Luther and wife, Iva Femrite of Farwell; Lyle and wife Barb Femrite of Mankato; a brother Ralph and wife Gudrun Stivland of Lowry; a sister Ruby and husband Iver Anderson of Alexandria; 11 grandchildren: Kristen Kozitza, Ken Messersmith, Sarah, John and Jennie Nelson, Bryan, Brent, Robby, Jason, Stephanie and Justin Femrite; and two great grandchildren Evangeline and Harlan Kozitza.
Funeral services were held on December 3, 1994, from First Lutheran
Church of Alexandria with Reverend Keith Lentz and Reverend Merlin
Bartelt officiating. Music was provided by Marlene Lentz, organist and
Reverend Keith Lentz, soloist.
Interment was in Trysil Cemetery at Holmes City with Jimmy Femrite,
Dale Stivland, Rodney Femrite, Sidney Stivland, Rodney Stivland and Tom Anderson serving as pallbearers. Her grandchildren were named honorary pallbearers.
Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home