Clara Mcgruder

Clara McGruder, 89, West Fargo, ND, formerly of Jamestown, ND, died Friday, May 25, 2012 at Eventide Nursing Center in Moorhead, MN.

Clara Trautman was born on September 18, 1922 in Cleveland, ND, the daughter of Peter and Christine Trautman. She was raised on the family farm north of Cleveland. Clara received her education in the Cleveland rural school. She moved to Jamestown where she worked as a housekeeper. Clara married Bernard "Ben" McGruder on January 30, 1945 in Medina, ND. The lived on a farm north of Medina for 3 years. They moved to Jamestown where she worked as a housekeeper. In 1963 Clara started working as a sales clerk at Tempo. She worked there for 17 years before retiring in 1980. In 2008, Clara moved to West Fargo, where she resided until her death.

Clara enjoyed spending time with her family. Clara had always enjoyed traveling and made many trips with Rose and her family. In the last 20 years, she enjoyed going to Ottertail Lake, her favorite thing to do at the lake was to go on pontoon rides. Since 2006 Clara has spent 3 months in Florida in the RV with Rose and Chuck. She enjoyed seeing family and doing many fun things in Florida. When Clara was at home she enjoying doing puzzles.

Clara was a member of the Basilica of St. James and a lifetime member of the St. James Tabernacle Society and a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Clara is survived by her daughter, Rose (Chuck) Noesen of Fargo; granddaughter, Tami Noesen, Fargo and grandson, Todd (Samantha) Noesen; and two great-granddaughters, Madison and Isabelle Noesen, Fargo.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ben; parents; granddaughter, Theresa Noesen; four brothers, Christ, Emil, Ted and Reuben Trautman; and five sisters, Amelia Trautman, Bertha Lonski, Freida Hastings, Eva Ruth Becker and Alvina Stolz.