Clara A. Thurston

Clara’s service will be livestreamed here beginning at 1:40 PM today.

Clara Amanda Moe Thurston left us and went to her eternal home October 9, 2026. She began her earthly journey in Brinsmade, ND, on July 18, 1940, the daughter of Henry and Emma (Braniff-Baxter) Moe. It was in that small town that she grew up and on July 16, 1960 married Clinton Earl Thurston.

The family moved to Fargo in 1974. Clara not only cared for her home and family but also cared for others as a certified nurse aide (CNA) for many years. In 2004 she retired from her position at St. Catherine’s North (Rosewood on Broadway). She is fondly remembered by former facility staff with whom she remained friends after leaving the workforce. And it was at St. Catherine’s that she lived her last years.

Family and friends remember that Clara made “the absolute best buns” which were central to holiday feasts and ordinary dinners at Thurston gatherings. She enjoyed listening to country music in general and attending concerts in particular.Reading women’s fiction was also one of her pleasurable pastimes-but probably not as much as sharing stories over coffee with friends. As with many folks of her generation, soap operas were followed as closely as the news.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Emma; siblings Gordon (Frances Moe, Nettie (Gordon) Skaar, Margie (Bernard) Ordahl and Norman Baxter; her daughter, Constance, and her husband Clinton.

She is survived by her children: Wanda Ottesen, Cathy Thurston, Cindy Thurston Brady, William (Pam) Thurston, Robin (Robert) Trenda and Michael Thurston; her grandchildren: Justin (Amanda) Ottesen, Jenna (Tony) Desharnais, Cameron (Francie)Thurston, Courtney (Josh) Miller, Aidan and Alyssa Brady and Tori Trenda, Michael Gordon and Samantha Blume; her great-grandchildren: Nevaeh and Gavin Lucier, Carson and Jaycie Miller, Alexis Bradley, Logan and Leo Blume, Kaylee Thomas and many nieces and nephews.

As we remember Clara’s life, we also remember that “we are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love…and then we return home” (Australian Proverb). Rest in Peace, Clara, your work here is done.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE: 2 PM Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo – with a visitation one hour prior

BURIAL: a private family burial will take place at the Egeland Union Cemetery

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, or to view a livestream of the service, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com