Clara May Saylor, age 90, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2021 at the Garfield County Healthcare in Jordan.
Clara came into this world on a rainy night on May 22, 1930 to George and Clara Shawver at their ranch home at Uebra, Montana. Here she joined three brothers and four sisters. She was the last one of the family of 8. The family moved to Nuevo, California when Clara was six years old, where she attended school through the sixth grade. When World War II started the family moved back to the ranch in Montana, where Clara attended the Spring Creek School, riding horseback three miles each way to and from school. Clara was a free spirit who got things done. At about 12 years old, she was told she was too young to go with the guys to trail a herd of horses from Squaw Creek to Miles City. She proved them wrong and rode the entire trip. Her love of horses was lifelong from riding bareback on the ranch to riding to school; to riding to Miles City. After taking a break of 60+ years, she rode again on Willa’s horse, Winchester and loved every minute of the numerous rides. She attended high school at GCHS, staying at the dorm each year; graduating in May, 1947. Her senior year found her working ½ time for Al Hawkinson’s Insurance/Income tax office.
Clara married Irven Saylor in December, 1947 at Lewistown, Montana; retiring to his ranch at Brusett, where they ranched, she raised large gardens and did considerable canning while raising their family of four: Loren, Clyde, Stanley and Beverly. One of her wishes was finally granted when Irven and the boys built her a greenhouse, in which she grew many great plants and shared them with family and friends. With the school situation in the area, Clara moved some years to be closer for the kids to attend, driving 10 to 14 miles a day on “gumbo” roads was not a great option. During these years, she worked at various jobs in town, including a short time at the Tastee Freez for Mary Alice Currey, a year at Ryan’s Grocery, one year as study hall monitor and one year as high school secretary. She was quite active in 4-H work for 12-15 years, helping the younger folks with their many projects. With the children raised and gone from home, time was heavy on her hands, so when Janet Guptill offered her a part-time job working with the Jordan Tribune, she readily accepted it, little thinking she would be there on and off for 40+ years (Thanks Janet!) In her spare time, she worked at Fellman’s Motel for Clyde and Lori Phipps. She finally decided that at age 89 it was time to throw in the towel, so resigned permanently. Hobbies through the years have included gardening, sewing and enjoying her grandkids. She gained the nickname “gramma cookie dough” from all her great grandkids due to her extensive cookie baking through the years.
Irven’s health had begun deteriorating, so they moved to Lewistown in the late ‘80’s for a few years. Here, Clara worked at a restaurant for a while; then at Valle Vista Manor, before moving back to the ranch. The couple moved into Jordan in 2001 when it became necessary to put her husband in the Garfield County Healthcare. He passed away in August, 2002, at which time Clara told her kids “Have car, will travel.” This, along with working at the Tribune when home and occasionally doing eldercare filled her next 18 years.
Clara has a long list of descendants to follow on for her: four children, nineteen grandchildren and forty great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her siblings and an infant granddaughter.
Her very best 90th birthday present was when Wade and Bev Harbaugh arranged for her to be on a saddle horse and go riding! And she could still move the next day!
Visitation will begin on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Jordan and family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Steve Fork’s Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 9, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 9, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday May 10, 2021
Steve Forks Cemetery
Sand Springs, Montana
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 9, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday May 9, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday May 10, 2021
Steve Forks Cemetery
Sand Springs, Montana
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Marian Watt says
So sorry for the Saylor Family and the loss of Clara…….Am so honored to have her consider me one of her kids, and friend…….I so enjoyed our visit on Monday and will hold that memory very precious. She was one of a kind and I loved her as my own Mom. RIP Clara!
Brandon says
So sorry to hear this. My condolences to the Saylor family.
Daniel & Audrey says
So very sorry for your loss. May Clara rest in peace.
Claudia Stanton says
Sorry to hear that Clara has passed away. We have many good memories over the years. Condolences to all of Clara’s Family.
Tom and Claudia.
Claudia Stanton says
Sorry to hear that Clara has passed away. We have many good memories over the years. Condolences to all of Clara’s Family.
Tom and Claudia
Jeana Bliss says
So sorry to hear of Clara’s passing. I will never forget my visits about history with her. 1 in particular at the Sand Springs Store with Sandy and Roxi. It was a fun afternoon. My heart and prayers are with all of Clara’s family.
Carol Raschkow says
I am saddened to hear of Clara’s passing.. My heartfelt condolences go out to all of her family!
Donovan Currey says
Clara was a wonderful lady and I send my prayers to all the family during this sad time. I will always remember her wonderful smile and the radiant happiness that shown in her eyes whenever I happened to see Clara around town. I would guess she has already setup a daily coffee time with the Lord. Peace.
Cynthia Gregg-Hope says
So sad to hear about the passing of another local legend. Miss Clara was one of a kind. Prayers for the rest of the family and friends.
GARY AND PAT HELM says
SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF CLARAS PASSING. WILL MISS OUR LOUNCHEONS AND THE CATCHING UP OF THE NEWS. GOD BLESS HER FAMILY AT THIS TIME OF SORROW AND GIVE THEM STRENGTH TO GET PASSED THIS TIME OF NEED. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. WITH LOVE FROM THE GARY HELM FAMILY
Jo Ryan says
Sorry to hear of Clara’s passing. Condolences to all the families.
She was my other Mom for a long time in my life, also my 4-H leader. Thinking of you all.
Diane Jenni says
Bev, Wade and family. I am so thankful we got to meet and spend some time with Clara last year. Wonderful Lady! Prayers and Love to you all.
Joyce(Roufley) and Ken Holmlund says
So sorry to hear of Clara’s passing! She was a wonderful lady! Let God wrap his arms around you all at this time of loss.
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
Condolences and Prayers to all of Aunt Clara”s Family She was a special person and friend to Me , She will be missed by all who knew her .May you all find comfort in all of your Memories and in Gods Love . God Bless you.
Les and Jerri Thomas says
To all of Clara’s family,
Clara was a great lady, always a friendly smile and greeting. She will be missed.
Jean Bryan says
Dear Aunt Clara you will be so missed. You taught me to see my 4-H projects You always made the BEST doughnuts and cinnamon rolls. I loved staying with you and getting to play with my double cousins. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. She was a very special lady. Love you all. God bless
MELVIN LERVICK says
Condolences to all of Aunt Clara’s family. During Clara’s many road trips to Washington she always found time to spend a few days with us in Redmond. We were all really sad to hear of her passing. The last couple years we had to rely on phone calls only, but we always seemed to spend a couple hours talking. Linda was talking to her on the phone when Bev picked her up. She seemed to be in good spirits, as she always was (even when she fell from her horse at Bev’s). She will be sorely missed. Love to all of you, Mel.
Maureen Larson says
My sympathies go out to the Saylor family. It sounds like she lived a full and wonder life.
Pat LaMoure says
Aunt Clara will be mis
Aunt Clara will be missed by all that new her. She taught me how to sew and made lots clothes for me. Always a place to stay when I came home. Now she can make doughnuts for Buster. Hugs and Love to all.
Rita Wemmer says
So very sorry for your loss…but what a wonderful life Clara had and gave of herself! She was loved. And will be lovingly remembered by many. Love and prayers to all. May God bless you and keep your memories alive a💖💖
Lynda Johnston says
I remember Clara was my first dress review judge and she quickly found my inch long stitches from midnight the night before and gave me a red ribbon. She advised me to rip out and redo before the fair, where I got a blue. It was a lesson that stayed with me for life: do it well the first time and you won’t have to do it over.
Bev became one of my longest friends when we did 4-H and 4-H Congress roommates together. We have kept touch through the years and try to get together whenever I’m in Jordan.
I admired Clara’s active schedule up until the last year and found her zest for life amazing.
May you all find comfort in all the wonderful memories.
Lynda Hill Johnston
Audrey Liebelt Bruckner says
Bev, Wade and all of the family. I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I am sending up prayers for all of you.
Roxie Saylor says
Condolences to all of Claras family.Was saddened to hear of her passing.We had some special times of visiting and working together for the Jordan Tribune.We are really going to miss you.Clara made the best Cinnamon Rolls and Doughnuts.
Jeanne Tyler says
Condolences and prayers for Stan and the family! I remember Clara’s delicious cinnamon rolls. I believe she was famous them.
Clara Shawver Vaughn says
I’m so sorry to hear of Aunt Clara’s passing. I remember last time she and Aunt Mary came to KC to visit Dad. Much love to the family.
Paul Cogley says
Memories of Clara include baked goodies, big smiles, laughs and great “visits”. She was forever faithful and devoted to her family and friends. I remember her trips with Mary and their close relationship after their husbands had passed. She was like another grandmother to me. She will be missed but memories of her will always be treasured. Thoughts and prayers to all of her family and friends.
Linda Estes says
Aunt Clara, you finally got your wish. God Bless You for always being there for me and so many others. You spoiled me from the time I was born. I will miss our Sunday phone visits and you just showing up unannounced to go have lunch or to just visit. So glad I got to spend time with you and your children the past few weeks. Loren, Clyde, Stanley and Beverly, my prayers are with you in the days ahead. Be like your mom and “do it your way”. Love you all.
Karen Witt says
My Deepest Sympathy She will be missed we lost another one of our historians.
Deb Currey Terrett says
Sending love and warm thoughts of comfort to you all! Clara was such a special lady to our family. She was always interested in our activities and families when I would see her. What an inspiration she was living life to the fullest and blessing so many people along the way! God Bless you all with wonderful memories!
Bonnie Bischoff says
I loved Clara. She always had a smile, a witty comment, words of wisdom and WOW could she sew! She made beautiful western polyester suits for Bev, Marilyn and me. She made prom dresses for us and our 8th grade graduation dresses! She was a friend to Mom and Dad. She is now in the arms of Jesus! Amen!
Sara and Nick Ludwig says
Clyde and all family..so sorry to hear of your loss. 😔 Prayers and thoughts are with you all. May God bless!!