Marie Clements, 90, passed away with family at her side Feb. 17, 2016.
She was born Sept. 28, 1925, in Ryegate.
She married Chester Clement Nov. 15, 1925.
She is survived by her daughter, Becky, and Don Connors; three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren; and many other family members. She kept in touch with all.
“Marie has always helped anybody in need,” says her friend Helen Bates.
“Without the Lord, I’m nobody,” explained Marie, who said, “caring for somebody else” is how she expressed her faith. And being a working wife and mother never interfered with this native Montanan’s efforts to help the less fortunate. In fact, serving others seems to have been a Clements family tradition. Marie’s husband Chester worked for the U.S. Postal Service. And Marie’s daughter Becky became a phlebotomist, serving nursing homes and hospitals.
When Chester and Marie retired and moved from Corvallis to the Flathead Valley, they worked for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department, beautifying campgrounds to benefit others. Meanwhile, Marie continued to volunteer her services wherever needed — whether baking bread for the Bible Camp, making quilts for the Council on Aging, or providing comfort and care to those who needed assistance in the Immanuel Lutheran Home.
While living in Lakeside, the Clements family made Eidsvold their church home and became part of “a wonderful church family,” Marie said, who became president of the Eidsvold Lutheran Church Women for a number of years. “We’re always doings things together. And everyone is always there for you,” she added, recalling the spiritual support her church friends gave her when she lost two grandsons and, later, after the Lord took her husband Chester from her.
She was a 30-year cancer survivor and belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary of Corvallis for over 15 years
Throughout her life, Marie had continued to reach out to help others by contacting local service organizations and finding out what they needed and passing on the information to the church. This led to her becoming the liaison between Eidsvold and places such as the Samaritan House (feeding and housing the destitute), the Hope Pregnancy Center (caring for unwed mothers), and the Abbie Shelter (providing a safe haven for women).
She was active until the end, riding a bike with help on her 90th birthday, huckleberry picking every year, loving the family get-togethers, her friends, birds and flowers, and keeping scrapbooks from 1945 to the present.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. March 19 at Eidsvold Lutheran Church. Burial will take place at a later date in Corvallis.
Donations are suggested to your favorite charity.