Funeral services for Claora Nelson, age 94 of Redmond, WA; formerly of Hettinger, will be held at 2:00pm Monday, April 14, at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger. Pastor Kathleen Dettman will officiate with burial in the Hettinger Cemetery.


Special music will be provided by Norman and Bonnie Smith.


Claora Bessie Ladueg Nelson, born July 19, 1913 to Charles Otto and Pauline (Sack) Ladwig in Charles City, Iowa. Claora was a first generation American with both parents migrating from Germany and was one of sevenchildren. Claora lived in Iowa until the age of six, when she and her family moved to a government claim homestead 18 miles northwest of Isabel, SD. Claora was a lively child who loved to spend her time outdoors with the animan.


She attended Neuimiller School, sharing a one room classroom with the other children in her town of all ages until the 8th grade. As was custom in that era, Claora left school after the 8th grade to work on the farm. During her teenage years, her brother, Laurence would visit with his friend Clarence. During the fall of 1930, Clarence began courting Claora, often meeting her at dances. At the end of April, after kissing her by an old coal stove in the house, Clarence asked Claora to marry him. He was the only man she dated and was never kissed until he asked her to marry him. She didn't answer his proposal immediately, saying she would think about it, but the next time he came to see her she accepted.


On July 18, 1931, Clarence and Claora drove to Timber Lake, SD to be married. Claroa was one day shy of 18 and Clarence was 19½. As a newlywed, she was only able to spend the first evening with her husband before he returned to Haynes to work for a week. After renting a two bedroom shack in Haynes, ND, Clarence retrieved Claora and brought her to their new home.


They lived in that home a year, when Darrel Clarence, was born on September 16, 1932 after which Clarence bought their first home for $900.00, a one room shack. After a few years, they built a lean-to for a bedroom. Kenneth Charles was born in that house on September 10, 1934 followed by Lois Ann on January 4, 1937.


Glenn Allen was born September 8, 1939, two months premature. They placed Glenn in a shoebox next to the bed with a hot water bottle to keep him warm. Claora never left his side, sleeping with her hand on him to make sure he was breathing. Claora was a very strong and companssionate mother which was revealed in her dedicated care for her premature child. Glenn grew up to be strong.


In 1944, the Nelson family moved to a 960 acre farm, eleven miles outside of Hettinger. They were renters for eight years before they bought the farmland. They then leased a additional 640 acres. She worked hand in hand with Clarence in the field and with the cattle.


Claora enjoyed working the farm with over 250 head of cattle and she rode horseback regularly.


On July 5, 1977, Clarence and Claora also bought a house in town. They had the house torn down and rebuilt. While not being one to indulge, Claora said she felt like a lady living in that home and enjoyed the luxury of being in town and having coffee with her friends.


Claora and Clarence were married two months shy of 60 years when Clarence died of prostate cancer. He died May 2, 1991 at the age of 79.


Claora stayed in her home until August 1999 when she moved to Washington to be closer to her children. Claora passed away on April 8, 2008 at the age of 94.


Claora was a hard working woman who managed a family and farm. While her fortitude was necessary in her life, she will always be remembered for her kindness, and childlike laughter. She stood by the love of her life both as a wife and partner.


Claora is survived by her four children, Darrel Nelson and spouse Ann, Kenneth Nelson and wife Wanda, Lois DeMaria, and Glenn Nelson; 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren.