Clare Williams
July 31, 1936 ~ March 2, 2024
Clare Williams Memorial Service:
Clare Williams, 87, of West Fargo, ND, passed away on March 2, 2024, at Bethany Assisted Living in Fargo.
Clare was the youngest child of John and Connie Chesire, a 100% Irish couple. She grew up in Bismarck and graduated from St. Mary’s High School and Valley City State Teacher College. She taught high school English for 33 years in West Fargo.
Clare married Larry Swanberg in 1962, and they moved to West Fargo in 1967. They enjoyed a lot of family time until his death in 1977. In 1982, Clare married RL Williams. They lived at Lake Eunice, Minnesota, where they caught a lot of fish and played many card games until his death in 1992.
Clare enjoyed life. She loved teaching, reading, writing, spending time with family, and telling a good story. Her time at the lakes was cherished. Clare enjoyed water skiing, fishing, swimming, and boating. She felt at home near the water. She relished living life to the fullest, such as dressing up for boat parades, rolling down the hill to the water in an inner tube with her sister, and taking out the solar boat and jet ski.
Clare is survived by her sister, Monica Swanberg of Bismarck, ND; eight stepchildren, Sherry Illich, Nancy (Larry) Ostenson, Judy Kvaale, Keith (Rebecca) Williams, Bill (Geraldine) Williams, Mike (Sherry) Williams, Bob Williams, and Pam Williams. She enjoyed several grandchildren including Andrew Williams and Gavin Salisbury. She had many great grandchildren including Aden Williams. She was loved greatly by her nieces and nephews.
Clare was preceded in death by her husbands, Larry Swanberg and RL Williams, her parents, John and Connie Chesire, her sister, Margaret Slogar and in-laws, Bill Slogar, Ron Swanberg, and June and Wes Sommerfeld.
A Memorial service will be held at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND, on March 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow. Gathering for the family will begin at 1:00 PM with visitation at 1:30. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Fargo Public Library.
The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website for those unable to attend.
Services
Visitation - Tuesday: March 12, 2024 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Memorial Service - Tuesday: March 12, 2024 2:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
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My Aunt Clare was full of life and had an incredible sense of humor. I remember fondly college years when my cousin Mark and I lived with her (and her dog Riley), after Uncle Larry passed away. We finished the basement that Larry had built a brick bar in, and we each made a basement bedroom. Great memories of my mom’s little sister. An incredible woman who will be missed.
I remember that you and Mark also painted her outhouse very creatively ,when you sat down 2 big red liips painted on the seat of the outhouse.. I remember so many holidays together. Enjoyed her stories.She had the gift of hospitality.We got to bring friends and family to her lake places. Memories of swimming,skiing ,boating and even pulling weeds and reading with her as she drank her diet coke, flow through my mind and make me smile.Clare was loved and will be missed
Marjorie Anderson Stalcup
Claire and I attended Valley City teacher’s college together in 1956 and on,
My name was Henderson at that time
We both taught school in West Fargo Public Schools in the 1960’s.
This is how I remember my Great Aunt Clare, pushing fashion limits, cozyed up with a good book (or 3) and a diet coke. Most of our times together were around lakes, we shared a cabin with her at Rainbow Resort many years. I loved going to visit her at Lake Eunice when I was small getting to stay in the bunk house with a Disco Ball!
I will remember Clare always. She was a very lovable sister. I can still see her in her first communion dress. I thought she looks so holy! We lived on Mandan Street then, across from a little grocery store where we would go for candy when we got our 25 cent allowance
Mrs Swanberg (Sarge) I’m not sure if she knew the kids called her that but it was with respect. My husband and I both had her for grammar. She was the best teacher I ever had! I especially loved her way with the tough guys in class. She got their attention and made them learn and they liked it. My husband and I send our condolences.
Condolences to the Williams family. Memories from Lake Eunice.
Clare and I taught ninth grade together for a couple of years. We team taught a group of kids who struggled to learn. She expected them to work hard and listen to the rules. But she had a very good heart and loved her kids very much. She would not have traded those kids for any other kind of class. Condolences to her friends and family from our family.
My great Aunt Clare knew the power of a quick witted joke paired with a mischievous smile, and doled it out with love and affection to all around her. I loved the sound of her laugh, and will always remember her fondly as my Grandma’s little sister. Rest in peace, Auntie Clare.
Condolences to the Williams Family. Many memories of Lake Eunice.