Clara Deschene, 94, died on Monday, February 8, 2010 at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 pm, Friday, February 12, 2010 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding. Burial will be at 4:00 PM in Calvary Cemetery, Crookston, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM, Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service in Red Lake Falls, MN with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to Mass on Friday.

Clara Leah Gagner was born on August 21, 1915 in Terrebonne, MN to Zephyr and Ida (Perreault) Gagner. Her mother died when Clara was 3 and her dad when she was 6. She was raised by Edgar and Louise Gervais. Clara attended country school near Terrebonne, MN through the 6th grade.

In her young years, Clara worked at Simplot doing potatoes and she also cleaned at a priests house. She also worked in a laundry service.

On October 16, 1943 she was united in marriage to Leo Latendresse. To this union one daughter was born. He died on April 15, 1944. Then in September of 1948, she was united in marriage to Leo Deschene and they blended three families into one. They made their home on a farm near Argyle. They lived there for over 25 years. In 1971, they moved to Crookston, MN. Leo died in 1992, and she continued living in Crookston until moving to Red Lake Falls in 1994.

Clara and Leo spent lots of time traveling and vacationing in their retirement years. Clara was an avid gardener. She didnt like being inside and never turned down a trip to go fishing. Her greatest source of joy was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Baking for friends and family was also a favorite pastime.

Clara is survived by 7 children: Marcella (Frank) Cieklinski, of Warroad, MN, Ann Marie (Rodney) Potrament, of Lancaster, MN, Lucille (Donald) Uhlir, of Belleview, FL; Rolland (Margaret) Deschene, of Argyle, MN, Betty Holkan, of Wheatland, WY; Lloyd (Billie) Deschene, of Wheatland, WY, Carol (David) Sorensen, of Red Lake Falls, MN, 23 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren 3 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by parents, husbands Leo Latendresse and Leo Deschene, 1 brother Leo Gagner, and 2 infant siblings Joseph and Rose Gagner.