Clara Harris

Funeral services for Clara Harris, 93 will be held at Bustard's Funeral home on Friday, January 28, 2011, at 2:00 PM. Viewing will be from 3:00 PM to 8:00PM, Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Bustard's Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Following a short illness, she died Friday, January 21, 2011 at the Pioneer Manor nursing home in Gillette, Wyoming. Clara was born at a German settlement near Keeline, Wyoming, on August 24, 1917. Her parents, Peter Kechter and Katherine (Schriner) Kechter, were German pioneer immigrants who came to America in 1906 and homesteaded near Keeline, Wyoming. She was baptized and later confirmed in the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Keeline, Wyoming. Growing up on a homestead was difficult and often harsh. German was the only language until the children began to attend schools. Clara often told the story that as a small child she would hide when cowboys would ride up to the house looking for work or a meal, as her mother did not know what the cowboys were saying. At the age of 16, Clara boarded a train to Casper, Wyoming and obtained a dishwashing position at a downtown cafe. This Ied to a lifetime career as a waitress. She loved working with the public and was very popular. She was also well known for her rhubarb pies and lush vegetable gardens. Summers were full of baking for her friends. Most of all, being a mother and grandmother was her biggest joy. Clara married Earl Shotwell in Casper, Wyoming in the late 1930's. To that union was born Judith Ann in 1941. They later divorced. In 1946, Clara married James D. Harris. They had two sons, Rick and Gary. They divorced in 1969. Clara was preceded in death by daughter Judy" son Rick, parents Peter and Katie, brothers Jake and Carl. She is survived by her son Gary and wife Linda of Gillette, sister Esther Sanders of Casper, grandson Chad (Shelly) Harris of Taylorsville, Utah, granddaughters Kelly (Mark) Lundgren of Green River, Trish Stevens of Gillette, Katie (Travis) Sawyer of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren along with nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Casper Humane Society.

Visitation

Thursday, January 27, 2011 3:00pm - 8:00pm