Clara DeHaas

Clara DeHaas, 105

Clara DeHaas, 105, a resident of Idaho County for nearly 100 years, died Feb. 28, 2008, at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation Center (GHRC) of infirmities of age. News reports surrounding her 105th birthday suggested she may have been Idaho's eldest citizen.

She was born Dec. 19, 1902, in Manhattan, Mont., a daughter of John and Hilje Workman. When she was six, the family moved to Grangeville. During those subsequent years, she was able to transition from her native Dutch language to English and began school in the Grangeville area. She loved learning and often shared tales of her childhood school experiences.

She married William DeHaas on Oct. 11, 1922, and they farmed in the Grangeville area until their retirement in 1974. In 1997, she became one of the first residents of The Beehive in Grangeville, where she enjoyed the opportunity to have constant companionship and someone else to prepare the meals -- something she had done for countless farm folks through the years.

Her Christian-based faith remained the foundation for her life. She was a founding member of the Grangeville Christian Reformed Church, enjoyed fellowship with family at the Grangeville Christian Church, and thoroughly enjoyed singing hymns. While living at the Idaho County Nursing Home and GHRC, she often led the mealtime prayers. Sundays were marked by her donning a dress and attending afternoon church services with her children in the GHRC dining room. She enjoyed the many activities presented by GHRC and treasured the opportunity to serve as an ambassador while riding in the 2007 Border Days parade.

Her personal diaries also reflect her strong interest in flowers. Even in her latter days, she would awaken and ask to smell the fresh flowers on her nightstand. Friends and family remember her for her easygoing, sweet personality and her sheer delight in visiting with her extended family and friends.

Survivors include her sons living in the Grangeville area, John (Susan), Frank (Rosella), Don (Myrna), Bernard (Barbara), and Gary; her daughter, Sharon (Cork) Hogaboam, in Connell, Wash.; daughters-in-law, Georgia DeHaas Earp and Carol DeHaas of Grangeville; and son-in-law, Bob Fischer of Bismarck, S.D.; 31 grandchildren, more than 55 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren, to whom she has imparted great wisdom.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William, who died in 1980; children and spouses, Gerrit Richard, Marion (Freida), Robert DeHaas, Betty (Ken) Forseth, Patricia Fischer; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild; siblings, John Workman, Joe Workman, Gerrit Workman, Tena Vrieling, Jennie Hoogland and Lavina Likkel.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m. at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, March 7, from 4-8 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home.