Clarine Studness Moe

Clarine Studness Moe, 104 of Churchs Ferry, ND passed on to her Heavenly Reward on Saturday, October 29, 2005 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Clarine will be held on Friday, November 4, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel, Devils Lake. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday one hour prior to the funeral service. Honorary Casket Bearers will be the Staff of the Heartland Care Center who so lovingly cared for Clarine. Clarine was born on December 8, 1900 in Churchs Ferry, ND. Her parents were Charlie and Marit Studness, prominent pioneers who came to Dakota Territory. Her father, son of Torstein and Liva Garmo Studness, emigrated from Gudbrandsdal, Norway in 1880 at age seventeen. Her mother, daughter of Ole and Christie Nestegard, emigrated from Hallingdal, Norway, with her parents in 1878 at age seven. Her parents were united in marriage at Saint Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake on November 2, 1891. Clarine was raised in Churchs Ferry where her father was a merchant. Clarine was educated in the Churchs Ferry Public School. She attended Hamline University (Saint Paul, Minnesota) and returned home to marry her childhood sweetheart, Chester Moe, at her family home in Churchs Ferry on July 17, 1930. Clarine and Chester was truly a perfect match. As partners, they played active roles in the community. Clarine epitomized the strong woman behind a man, supporting Chester, he served as mayor of Churchs Ferry from 1934 to 1951, president of the Churchs Ferry School Board, member of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Church, past master of Masonic Lodge of Churchs Ferry; member of Kem Temple Shrine of Grand Forks, member of Churchs Ferry Men’s Club, Devils Lake Elks Lodge and University of North Dakota Alumni Association. Clarine’s grace and strength provided the support and love that made his endeavors possible. Clarine was a member of Eastern Star and was a past Worthy Matron and also a member of the Lake Region Pioneer Daughters. During our countries wars, she knitted numerous sweaters for the Red Cross to send to soldiers overseas. She was always looking for ways to give and help others. Above all, Clarice and Chester were dear friends to many, and the favorite aunt and uncle to their nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews. Their involvement in and support of family always came first. Clarine’s kitchen had family and friends visiting there on a daily basis. All were delighted by her home made treats. Clarine lost her great love on August 7, 1973. After Chester’s passing, Clarine continued to live in the family home in Churchs Ferry until 1991 when she moved to Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake. The fourteen years she enjoyed as a resident there stand as testimony to the excellent care she received. During all her remaining years, which stretched into such a full life, Clarine continued to give all her time, support and love to her family, the true priority in her life. With the passing of Clarine, it is fitting to look at the last century and all the change that she witnessed. Clarine grew up in Churchs Ferry when it was a thriving regional center. It now stands quite lonely yet courageous on the prairie. It has been called “the town that refuses to die.” When she was young, horse and buggy and the railroad were the main means of transportation. She witnessed the transportation change from horses to jets and communications change from handwritten notes to computerized communication and email. Always, Clarine truly was as wise as her years. She knew that in the midst of all the world’s change, the important things had not changed from the beginning of her life to the end. The legacy she leaves is the lesson that relationships and people, and most importantly family, come first. Clarine’s family gratefully remembers the wonderful food she prepared to nourish their bodies, the afghans she created to warm them. They cherish the countless visits, the games of Yahtzee and Husker Du, and most of all the smiles and laughter. These were but a few of the ways she gave encouragement and unconditional love. Clarine is survived by her nephew, Charles Studness and his wife, Harriet of Manhasset, Long Island, New York Niece, Anne-Marit Bergstrom of Devils Lake Grand Nieces and Nephews: Renard Bergstrom and his wife, Candace Mira Norcross and her husband, Michael Lisa Margay Studness Roy Studness and wife, Jessica Erica Studness and her husband, Mark Grand Nieces and Nephews: Will and Ben Bergstrom and Sydney, Aria and Strom Norcross She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Leo and his wife, Alma; a two year old brother, Otto and her beloved husband, Chester Moe.