Funeral Service: Friday, March 6, 2009 at 1:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
Interment: will follow in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City
Clara Evelyn Aye Anderson, age 101, of Miles City passed away on February 23, 2009 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
Clara was born in 1907 to Margrette M. and John A. Aye in Alpena, South Dakota and was the eldest of six siblings---Faye, Willis, Lester, John, Glada, and Arla. At the age of sixteen she moved with her family to a ranch near Epsie, Montana. Following graduation from Miles City High School, Clara and Faye traveled Montana purveying men's suits and haberdashery. A natural beauty, Clara was crowned Miss Powder River in 1929 and represented Powder River in the Miss Montana pageant. She married William Mankameyer the same year. Joyce was born in 1930 and John in 1933. Clara and William separated in 1940.
After obtaining a degree from Spearfish Normal School, Clara taught all grades in a one-room country school for one year. Following a return to Miles City, she studied telegraphy and subsequently secured a job in Mineral, WA where she worked nights as a telegrapher for the railroad. During World War II, Clara served as Secretary to Major Reginald Heyfield in Tacoma WA.
Clara married Emery Gregory in 1949 and the newlyweds moved to Eugene, OR where they would soon begin raising baby granddaughter, Gail. While working in their men's clothing store, Clara also took a few classes at the University of Oregon.
She and Emery enjoyed socializing with friends and spent many Saturday nights dancing at the Elks Club. In 1960, another move south landed them in Sacramento, CA where they again had a mens clothing business. Clara and Emery enjoyed gardening and taking Sunday drives looking for picnic spots to enjoy a few leisurely hours. Clara continued her interests in the arts by learning to play the organ, oil painting, and flower arranging. She attended American River College taking Spanish, Anthropology, and art classes. Clara, Emery, and Gail resided there until Emery died in 1972
A lifelong friendship then blossomed and Clara married Reverend Gayle Anderson, a Congregational minister from Broadus who ministered in Absarokee, MT during their marriage. A return to Sacramento was made due to Gayle's health where he died from a long term illness.
In 1979, Clara and Gail moved to the foothill community of Cool, CA where Clara resumed her passion for oil painting. She lived in Cool for nearly twenty years and was joined there by son John. Clara enjoyed accompanying John to art shows throughout CA as he marketed his Manka crystalline pottery. In April of 2000, Clara and John returned to Miles City.
While Clara's lifelong was "I'll do it myself" she never tired of looking after the needs of others and she always did it in style.
Clara is survived by sisters Glada Abel of Miles City and Arla Green of California; sister in-law Lona Aye of Miles City; daughter Joyce Turner (Byron) of California; son John Mankameyer of Miles City; grandchildren Gail Rauscher and Terra Nyssa both of California and Tran Turner of Minnesota; great-grandchildren Kitfox Valentin and Chia Valentin both of California and Tre Fitzgerald Turner of Minnesota; and numerous nieces and nephews.Visitation will begin on Thursday, March 5th with the family to receive friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 6, 2009 at 1:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Custer County Art and Heritage Center or the charity of one's choice.
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