Clara Brown

Clara S. Brown, age 84, of Motley, passed away early Tuesday morning at the St. Cloud Hospital. A memorial service is planned for Saturday March 24 at 11:00 am at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Staples with Rev. Robin Collins officiating. There will a time to gather at the church, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Motley Public Cemetery. Clara was born on October 13, 1922 in Leader, MN to Rudy and Margaret (Riss) Kral. She grew up in the area and attended school there, graduating from the Motley High School. On January 29, 1941 she married her high school sweet-heart, Blanchard, in Wadena, and their marriage was blessed with four children. Clara worked at the Staples Box Factory for a time. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and crossword puzzles. Clara is survived by her children, Charlette Shake, Ronald (Cheryl) Brown, and Kevin (Phyllis) Brown; grandchildren, Jay Shake, Shelly Zimmerman, Tony Brown, Kim Mankowski, Heidi Brown, and Laura Behrendt; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters, Camilla Vaughn, and Elaine Garley; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Blanchard; son, Robert; granddaughter, Annette; and sister, Bessie Marquardt.