Evelyn Clairmont

Evelyn Burkholder Clairmont, 92, of Waco, passed away peacefully Friday, July 18, 2014 in Waco. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 22 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Gregg George officiating. Visitation with her family will follow the service in the foyer of the Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel.

Evelyn was one of nine children, born to Bessie and Burt Burkholder in Galesburg, North Dakota on April 25, 1922. Athletic and outgoing, she graduated from Clifford High and married her high school sweetheart, Franklin Thompson the 22nd of August 1940 in Moorehead, Minnesota. Evy and Franklin had five daughters together. Evelyn was very active in her community serving in the Norman Lutheran Church, opening and operating the Galesburg Café, raising five girls and farming with her husband. They were married 25 years until his death on August 29, 1965. She will be loved and missed by her daughters, Bonnie Norton and husband, Floyd of Temple, Linda Bergstrom and husband, Gary of Findley, North Dakota, Lynnette Pruitt and husband, Steve of Arlington and Suzan Bosard and husband, Scott of Humble; grandchildren, Wendi Klander, Jami Curry, Staci Bowser, Dan Hugghins, Joe Hugghins, Tor Bergstrom and husband, Kyle, Taasha Zerface, Katrina Blikre, Sean Lund, Seth Lund, Sara Boeckel, Shana Peltz, Tye Pruitt, Taya Hunter, Tam Pruitt, Taite Pruitt, Tyler Bosard, Tegan Easton and Trey Bosard. Evelyn had 50 great-grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

As a young widow, no task was too overwhelming for Evelyn as she was a fantastic cook and provider for her family. She married Ray Clairmont September 30, 1966 and relocated to Bismark, North Dakota. Ray brought eight children into the marriage creating a combination that was lively, loud and loved. Evelyn loved sewing, cooking, painting, knitting and her garden was always pristine and plentiful. She could grow anything and master virtually anything. She was constantly on the move. Evy started wintering in Pharr, Texas during the 1980’s and 1990’s. She loved spending time with her brothers, sisters, friends and family, many of whom also wintered in Texas. After 32 years of marriage, her husband, Ray Clairmont passed away. She will be loved and missed by her Clairmont sons and daughters, Maureen Welch and husband, Victor of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Debra Haake and husband, Robert (deceased) of Cochran, Wisconsin, Audie Clairmont and wife, Candy of Elsie, Michigan, Rodney Clairmont and wife, Melody, Becky Ziegler and husband, Timothy all of Bismark, North Dakota, Sabrina Landtroop and husband, Chuck of Merkle, Texas, Kim Novicky and husband, Todd of Gilbert, Arizona and Carla Hubbard and her husband, Tim of Sherwood, Oregon; grandchildren, Shannon, Clint, Bart, Bret, Paige, Caleb, Amanda, Alisha, Amy, Gabriel, Nicole, Nathan, Kyland, Bria, Raymond, Michael, Chontae, Ashley, Tara, Kelsey, Angela, Colton, Kayla, Zachary, Ashton, Alexandra and Taylor. Evelyn also had 28 Clairmont great grandchildren.

Evelyn loved to travel until she settled in Finley, North Dakota in 1996. In 1997, she opened the Finley House Bed & Breakfast with her daughter, Linda. Evelyn spent the last years of her life in Waco where several daughters, grandchildren and her family lived. She was quite the matriarch of a large family who always got a kick out of her energy and knowledge.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Thompson; by her daughter, Mary Thompson-Lund; her second husband, Ray Clairmont; her sisters Edith Thompson and Ethyl Bring; brothers, Jim, John, Burt and Earl Burkholder.

Evelyn is also survived by her brothers, Bill and Frank Burkholder; and many loved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Memorials in Evelyn’s memory may be directed to Providence Park, 300 West State Hwy 6 Waco 76712

The Guest Book is available at www.gracegardensfh.com

Grace Gardens