On the evening of May 11, 2017 Mary Ann Clem passed into glory at the home of her dear friends, Cliff and Dianna Isakson, in Glasgow, Montana from renal failure. Mary was 76 years old.
Mary Ann was born in Sioux City, Iowa on June 15, 1940 to Jess and Alice Flick Yassen. She had one older brother, Ed.
Mary graduated from Central High School in 1958 in Sioux City, IA. She was cruising around the city when Frank spotted her. He said, “You, in the middle, let’s go on a date.” They spent many dates bowling. Frank and Mary soon married in the Spring of 1959.
Frank’s duty in the U.S. Air Force landed the newlyweds in Valley County. They had three children. Frank always said he had four kids. Mary Ann loved to play! Swimming, volleyball, bowling, board games and card games, Mary enjoyed them all. And she kept playing when grandchildren came along. She played with plastic and plush animals with Alexie and Brianne, Hot Wheel cars with Shyanne and Barbies with Caite. She was a dedicated Jeopardy fan, watching her favorite TV show for five decades.
In the 70’s Mary operated Clem’s Pilot Car Service. This was her favorite occupation. Her husband would haul mobile homes across the northern states and Mary would lead the way. She was an avid CB radio user. She was well known as Cactus.
Mary worked in the bakery department for Buttrey Foods for a brief time. Her next career was with the US Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. She earned achievement awards for her excellent service. We are not sure what she enjoyed most, delivering the mail or giving treats to the dogs on her mail route. She often delivered home baked cinnamon rolls to the Valley County Road Department as insurance that her country roads would be passable. Mary retired from the postal service.
Mary was a den leader for Boy Scouts. She was active in the Glasgow Schools’ PTA. She was a member of the local CB radio club. Her pretty voice helped many a traveler. Mary and Suzi Frost spent hours and hours together driving around Glasgow running errands. Mary was the youth group leader at Calvary Baptist Church for quite a few years. Many of the youth stayed in touch with Mary as adults.
Mary and Frank were married for 43 years. A few years after Frank passed away, Mary moved to Billings, MT. She lived there with her son, Frank E. and Marie for five years. Marie is the Clem family’s Jersey angel.
In June of 2013, Mary came back to Glasgow and resided at Nemont Manor. She soon had a circle of friends to play pinochle with her. She also hosted a weekly bible study in her apartment. As the years went by her love of the Lord increased. Her daily bible reading brought her boundless joy. If she said she would pray for you, be assured she did. Frank Jr. said she had a direct line to God.
Mary’s gift was hospitality. She loved to give to others what she knew made them happy, especially in the food department. Everyone was welcome at Mary’s table.
Mary was a frequent patient at the Glasgow Clinic. Bob “Sparky” Hanson, Dr. Janet Armstrong, Patti Fogle and Darci Ellefson were not only caregivers, but friends. Mary’s family would like to say thank you, a very sincere thank you, to them and the others who gave mom such superior care.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Frank A. Clem; son, Frank E. Clem; and brother, Ed Yassen.
Mary Ann Clem is survived by her daughters, LaWana (Ward) Grewe and Twylla (Randy) Isakson of Glasgow; daughter-in-law, Marie Gefers of Billings; grand-daughters: Alexie (Zach) Beil, Brianne (Dustin) Brunelle, Shyanne Clem-Isakson and Caite Grewe; and one great grand-daughter Corey Lee Beil.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 AM
Friday May 19, 2017
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Ave. S.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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Peggy Sorensen says
LaWana, Twylaa and families,
May God give you peace and comfort in the days to come.
Jim, Janet and Donnie Bailey says
You all have our sincere sympathy at this time. Jim, Janet and Donnie Bailey
Lisa Baxter says
Mary was my neighbor for years. My dogs were always on her list for doggie bones. She will be dearly missed.
Stephanie Joseph says
LaWana and Twylaa, I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your families.
Stephanie (Yassen) Joseph
Mona Hagfeldt says
Peace and comfort to this beautiful lady
Ruth Bohlman says
I have so many fond memories of Mary. She was my best friend. Even though life put miles between us we never lost touch. My heart is broken from her death and my sympathy goes out to her family. She will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to cross her path.
Dolores &Harold Wentland says
Rest In Peace Mary. Prayers for the whole family. You are at peace now and free from all physical pain.