Clara Belle Wilson was born January 21, 1934, in Pierre, South Dakota, the daughter of William Key and Sarah Patience (Sutton) Wilson. She grew up in Kadoka where she graduated from Kadoka High School in 1952. She then attended South Dakota State College in Brookings where she received her home economics degree.
Clara Belle was united marriage to Harold D. “Bud” Weller on August 14, 1955, in Kadoka. In 1957, she taught one year at Kadoka High School and ten years later she started to teach full time, a position she held until retiring after 25 years. Later she cooked at the Kadoka Care Center and for the meals at the Senior Citizens Center in Kadoka.
After retirement she continued to reside on the ranch. Because of health reasons, she moved into the Kadoka Care Center in May 2013.
Clara Belle was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Kadoka; and Quilters for Christ at the Senior Citizens Center.
Survivors include her husband Harold “Bud” Weller of Kadoka; one son Keith Weller and his wife Diane of Mitchell; two daughters Katie M. Knutson and her husband Craig of Spearfish, and Terri D. Renfro and her husband Dan of Macksville, Kansas; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandson; one sister Lucy Freeman and her husband Glenn of Kadoka; a brother-in-law Lester of Aberdeen; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Clara Belle was preceded in death by her parents; one brother Kenneth Wilson; and one sister Charlotte Clarke.
Visitation was held 4-6 p.m. Sunday, October 27, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Monday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 28, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment was at the Kadoka Cemetery.
A memorial has been established to the Kadoka Care Center and the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, October 28, 2013 - 10:00 a.m.
Presbyterian Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Gary McCubbin
EULOGY
Janet Vander May
MUSIC
Joyce Wheeler - Pianist
Bonnie Shoemaker - Vocalist
"Roses Will Bloom Again"
Congregational Hymns
“Just A Closer Walk With Thee”
“Amazing Grace”
“How Great Thou Art”
Special Music
Clara Belle’s Family
“I Will Rise”
USHERS
Buster Peterson - Chuck VanderMay
PALLBEARERS
Sharon Knutson - Alyssa Dawson
Joshua Knutson - Marc Renfro
Samuel Weller - Andrew Weller
Kristina Knuston - Rachel Knutson
Kyla Knapp - Jenna Renfro
INTERMENT
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota
Guest Book
I am so sorry to hear of Clara Belle's passing. I actually will always think of her as Mrs. Weller. I enjoyed my classes with her in high school.
My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.
~ Nicki (Ireland) Nelson
Midland (10/25/2013)
AMAZING GRACE.....our chains are gone, I've been set free! Rest In peace!! The birthday plate will make its appearance again tonight....Thank you Grama Weller for a life time of memories we will never forget! For teaching me how to love and care for others, for all of the happy trick or treating, we were the luckiest kids....for the tea parties in the bunk house and the cookies and treats whenever we came, for loving chocolate and for it always being ok to eat it for the time spent visiting and time spent joyfully being a part of my kids life too. For being a Godly faith filled women who lived your days loving like Jesus....but mostly for always loving us and calling us family!!! You taught me how to love and care for others. You also taught my kids that by allowing them to love and care for you!!!
We love you to the moon.
Bud, Katie, Teri, Keith and Families....
Thank you for sharing Grama Weller with us, for allowing us to be a part of your families as well. May you continue to feel her love in everything you do!!!
Love you all and God Bless
David, Michelle, Kelcey, Katie and Lukas Butler
~ Michelle Butler
Philip (10/25/2013)
Our symapthy to you in the loss of Clara Belle. Memories are what make healing a treasure. Friends sharing and family remembering. May you receive comfort in the days ahead.
~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter
Kadoka (10/25/2013)
Thinking of all of you and the long haul you've had with Clarabelles illness. We admire the dignity and strength she showed with no complaining and always thinking of others. Her love of God and his son were evident and she was a testament in faith. Treasure the memories as we all will.
~ Pam and Keith Bonenberger
Kadoka (10/25/2013)
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mrs. Weller, as I remember her too, was such a great Home Ec teacher. Because of her, I learned to sew and I still enjoy sewing for my granddaughters.
~ Diana Terkildsen Olivier
Philip (10/25/2013)
We were so sorry to hear the sad news of your loss. We will keep you in our prayers.
~ Gus and Terry Craven
Wanblee (10/25/2013)
Attending Bible Study classes with Clarabelle was a rich blessing. She shared fascinating glimpses of her own life, and always added some homespun wisdom. She told us about a time in her life when she was over committed and couldn't get everything done. She was pacing, and her little cat was pacing with her. She finally realized that she had been so worried she hadn't noticed her faithful little friend. "When you're too busy to pet the cat, you are simply--too busy." Good advice from a special lady.
~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler
24208 Fairview Rd. Philip, SD (10/25/2013)
Dear Bud & family,
Clara Belle is healed in heaven. She impacted so many lives. From my first Youth Fellowship meeting to my last Prayer Chain call she was doing the Lord's work. She was much more than a teacher to our children. They will always remember the values and ethics they learned from her classes. The Great Comforter bless you all.
~ Kenny & Lyndy Ireland
Philip, SD (10/25/2013)
On behalf of the Sherburne family, I would like to express our deep sympathy for the loss of such a loving, caring woman. We remember her as a teacher with the greatest of patience and knowledge and as one who gave back to her community in loving ways. Our parents thought highly of her and counted her among friends. May God Bless you.
~ Sandra (Sherburne) Olsen
Gillette, Wy 82718 (10/25/2013)