Clara Jean Forde

CLARA JEAN FORDE was born to Raymond and Lydia (Zingelman) Park on October 19, 1939 in Pipestone, Minnesota and grew up on several farms in the Pipestone area and attended school. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. After her graduation from Pipestone High School, she attended nursing school in Mitchell, South Dakota for nurse’s training. Upon completion of her education, she became employed at the Pipestone County Medical Center. On September 24, 1964, she was united in marriage to Arden Forde in Flandreau, South Dakota. Following their marriage, they resided in Pipestone where she continued working at the hospital in Pipestone for 13 years. She then became employed at the Tyler Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota for five years until 1988 when she retired. Arden and Clara moved to Sioux Falls in 2007 for Arden’s treatments. Arden preceded her in death on July 5, 2009. After his death, she continued to reside in Sioux Falls to be near her daughters. She entered the Centennial Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls on October 31, 2012and died there on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at the age of 73 years, one month and one day.

Clara was active in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Pipestone and later in Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. She was active in the church choir, Bible study, and guild. She enjoyed volunteering, camping, reading, cooking, making crafts, sewing and collecting chickens. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She is lovingly remembered by her three daughters, Linda Forde Scholla and her husband Steven of Waconia, Minnesota, Brenda Hyronemus and her husband David of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Lisa Gully and her husband Brian of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Ethel Anderson of Lake Benton, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Rochell Forde; her parents; two sisters; and one brother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.