Clara Irene Nay Gear

RONAN - Clara Irene Nay Gear, 102, died peacefully at her home in Round Butte on Dec. 16, 2004.

She was born Feb. 1, 1902, in Independence, Colo., to George William Nay and Anna Irene Strickland Nay. Early in her childhood they moved to the Sidney area near Steamboat Springs, Colo.

After Clara graduated from high school and a year of finishing school, she taught in the rural schools in the Sidney, Cow Creek and Yellow Jacket areas.

She told many stories of riding horseback through deep snow, drifted trails and zero temperature to get to her teaching jobs. She was an avid gardener throughout her life and always found the time and energy to raise flowers along with the many rows of peas, carrots, corn, etc. that were so important to keeping food on the table for her family.

She was an expert with knitting, crocheting and other handwork. It is impossible to count the number of afghans, bedspreads and baby blankets she made and gave away. She loved going out in the woods and getting firewood. Even into her 90s, she could swing a maul along with the best of them.

On Nov. 25, 1925, she married Lester K. Gear. They ranched in the Yellow Jacket and Pleasant Valley areas for many years. Clara made her home in Montana with her daughter and son-in-law for the last 35 years.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Lester K. Gear; son George William "Bill" Gear; grandson L. Richard Dougherty, and great-grandson, Richard Carl Dougherty.

She is survived by daughter Anna (Al) Kruse, of Ronan; grandchildren Larry (Ronda) Kruse and Wayne (Jody) Kruse of Gillette, Wyo., Kathy (Jerome) Matt of Arlee, Connie (Dale) Young of Helena, and Mike (Kathy) Gear of Thermopolis, Wyo.; nine great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Clara was a remarkable lady who was always active, always busy and will be missed by all who knew her.