Clara George (Kraus)

Clara George, age 88, of Montrose, passed peacefully at her home on February 21, 2016, surrounded by her family.

Clara was born to Jake (Sr.) and Marie Kraus on June 29, 1927, in St Croix Falls, Wisconsin.  While she was still a toddler the family moved to Delta, Colorado.  Clara attended local schools and graduated from Montrose High School.  On November 24, 1947, she married Harold L. George; they raised their five children in Montrose.

Clara retired from City Market Grocery after 17 years in the bakery department.   Even though they might not have seen her in quite some time, many people have remembered Clara from all those years ago at the bakery.  Clara was very active in various women’s organizations, particularly Emblem Club #91 and the Rebekah Lodge.  She was very supportive of the Montrose County Fair with her many exhibits year after year and with the fair booth set up by the Emblem Club.    Countless Thursdays were spent bowling in the mornings and playing cards in the afternoons at the home of her dear friend, Viola Penny.

Like so many women of her generation, Clara loved to cook and do home canning.  Her hobbies included embroidery work and fabric painting.   One of her favorite pastimes was going on picnics with her family and friends.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Harold, who passed on October 3, 2013.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and five sisters and two brothers:  Bertha Hamill, Emily Abplanalp, Mary Schlauger, Lydia Morlang, Dollie Mays, Henry Kraus and Jake Kraus Jr.

Clara is survived by five children, Gayle George of Montrose, Saundra Coleman (Larry) of Council, Idaho, Pam George of Montrose, Jaelene Eyre of Cedaredge and Greg George (Shelia) of Casper, Wyoming;  five grandchildren, Nikki Eyre, Drew Eyre and Tory Eyre, Cameron George, Calvin George (Cassie); and two great-grandchildren, Michael Eyre-Kerns and Ben Eyre.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nurses and staff at HopeWest, Montrose, where memorial contributions may be made.   Special gratitude is also extended to Nina David, who had known Clara since she was a child and who provided loving care and good humor during the last months of Clara’s life.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 27, at 11:00 AM at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel, in Montrose.   A celebration of Clara’s life will take place at the Elks Lodge in Montrose following the service at Crippin Funeral Home