Clara Vilma Nissen, 82, died Friday April 18, 2008, at her home from pancreatic cancer with her loving family by her side.
Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday April 23, 2008, at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will be held at the Turner Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the American Legion Hall in Turner immediately after the graveside services. Memorial contributions in Clara’s honor can be sent to Bear Paw Credit Union, 201 Second Street Havre, Montana 59501. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Clara was born January 29, 1926 in Turner, to Christian Wagner and Mary Helen (Snowball) Spoonheim. She was raised and educated in Turner. She married Christopher Murphy Nissen on May 6, 1944, in Chinook. The couple lived in Harlem, Chinook and then Havre. Together they raised five children. Clara worked as a housekeeper for Maida Macartney and also held various cooking jobs. Clara enjoyed gardening, cooking and canning, and liked to attend picnics. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was a great friend to many people. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Christopher Nissen, one brother Melvin Spoonheim, one sister Gladys Tande and one grandson T.J. Molkie. Clara is survived by her children Frank Nissen of Havre; Sarah Molkie of Kennesaw, Ga.; Christine Goodwin of Sauk Village, Ill.; Helen Aubut of Havre and Marvin Nissen of Havre. One sister Mabel Cotter of Augusta. Brothers: Robert Spoonheim of Malta; Norman Spoonheim of Turner; Carl (Evelyn) Spoonheim of Hamilton; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
