Clarice Marlene Kimes, 92

Clarice Marlene Kimes, 92, of Lakeside, slipped quietly away from this earth on April 15, 2012, at St. Patrick Hospital “and now lives on in the glorious presence of God.”

Clarice was born in Ida Grove, Iowa, on Jan. 17, 1920, to parents William and Ethel (Drake) Elmore. As a child, her family moved to Missouri and then to Montana, where Clarice attended Central Middle School in Kalispell, Lakeside Grade School, and Flathead High School.

Clarice married Ben Kimes on June 7, 1940, in Kalispell. They were married for 62 years and together they had three sons and one daughter. She cared deeply for her family and was a wonderful homemaker, baking luscious pies and cinnamon rolls and participating in school activities. Clarice liked to play bridge and pinochle, enjoyed her bible studies, worked at a polling location and belonged to Lakeside Chapel.

Together she and Ben were snowbirds and spent many winters in Arizona and Nevada. They enjoyed traveling all over the United States, Canada and Mexico, and two favorite trips were to Europe and Hawaii. She loved being around Flathead Lake, Glacier Park and Yellowstone Park. She was a member of the Civilian Air Patrol in the 50s and 60s. She also loved to picnic, pick huckleberries and creek fish.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ben; her oldest son, Fred; and youngest son, Gary.

Clarice will be so very missed by her loving family, her son, George and Donna of Vacaville, Calif.; daughter, Sandra and Mike Ramos of Missoula; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves one sister, Annette, of Missoula; as well as many well loved nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and a graveside memorial will be held later this summer in Kalispell. Garden City Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

Memorials in Clarice's name may be made to the Lakeside QRU/Ambulance, P.O. Box 911, Lakeside, MT 59922.