Mrs. Rufus Claar Dies

Widow of Prominent Early Farmer Dies In Minneapolis At Age 90

Funeral services were held at the Church of Christ here at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday for Mrs. Alma Claar, widow of Rufus Claar, Sr., prominent early Blair farmer and horse fancier. Mrs. Claar, who would have been 90 years old July 4, died Sunday in Minneapolis. The Rev. T. A. Lindenmeyer officiated at the funeral rites here and interment followed in Blair cemetery. The Bendorf Funeral Home had charge of local arrangements.

Mr. and Mrs. Claar for years lived on a farm north of Blair which was one of the showplaces of Washington county. Later they moved to Blair and resided at 101 East Grant St. Mr. Claar died while living here, and a number of years later his widow, who was Alma Stewart prior to her marriage, moved from this city.

Mrs. Claar is survived by two sons, Rufus Claar, Jr., of Minneapolis, and Stewart Claar of California. A daughter, Mrs. Mabel Bigsby, preceded her in death. Other survivors include a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Note: Name was Alma Helen Stewart Claar. Parents were David and Nancy (Barnes) Stewart.) She married Rufus Claar in 1879. Born 4 July 1856 in Illinois; died 1 July 1946 at Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN

#2-18 July, 1946 - The Enterprise - Alma Helen (Stewart) Claar

PIONEER SETTLER SUCCOMBS IN MINNEAPOLIS

Came To State In 1862. Resident Of Blair Until 1902

Alma Helen Stewart was born July 4, 1856 in Champaign, Illinois, and came with her parents to Omaha in 1862. In 1876 she was married to Rufus Claar, and they resided in the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. George Kuhr on Grant Street and Walker Avenue in this city. This home was erected by Mr. Claar shortly after they were married.

They continued their residence in Blair until 1902, with the exception of five years spent on the farm north of Blair. The husband died in 1902.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Claar, one dying in infancy. Mabel, the only daughter, passed away in 1935. After the death of the daughter, Mrs. Claar went to their home in Aurora and kept house for the family, caring for the children as though they were her own. While there she fell and broke her hip and was taken to the Old People’s Home in Minneapolis where she was cared for and later was taken to the hospital. It was in the hospital that the died on July 1, 1946, just three days before her ninetieth birth anniversary.

Mrs. Claar was a consistent Christian and a member of the Christian Church and wherever she resided she was known for her kindly disposition and her Christian spirit.

Two sons, Rufus S. of Minneapolis and Stewart B. Claar of Beverly Hills, California, besides six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren are left to mourn her passing.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon, July 3rd, at the Christian church in Blair, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery in the family lot beside that of her husband.

Find a Grave Memorial # 74547503

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~