Clara Raaum

Clara Raaum, 103, Bismarck, passed from this earth to be in nearer presence of God on February 23, 2013, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, March 1, 2013, at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan, with Tyrona Schroeder AIM ELCA officiating. Visitation is scheduled for 12:00 noon until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Writing Rock Lutheran Cemetery, near Alkabo, North Dakota. Clara and her twin sister, Bertha, were born to Severt and Tone Engesether, who were pioneer farmers near McIntosh, Minnesota. After doing the chores, she and her siblings walked the mile and a half to a country school for their elementary school years. During the winter months she stayed with friends of the family in McIntosh to complete the four years of high school. Following high school, she attended college in Fargo for a semester, but due to the financial downturn of the 30's she began working at whatever job was available-domestic jobs at private homes or at the big hospital in Fargo, ND. Despite hard times, she loved going to the dance halls, that were so popular at the time. There she met a handsome young man named Leonard Raaum. Walking was the primary mode of transportation during their dating years. Eventually they were married, and lived on the Engesether dairy farm for about eight years. In 1944, they purchased Leonard's uncle's farm near Alkabo, ND, where they lived for 18 years until Leonard's death. Unable to run the farm by herself, Clara gained recognition as a faithful worker in a Williston hospital, and later the nursing home. After her retirement, she moved to Apple Valley, MN then to Northfield, MN Retirement Center, and later to Mandan, ND where friends and family were able to come visit her. What might be called "hobbies" were also essential tasks most of her life, such as sewing, gardening, and canning. She is also remembered in the Alkabo community as a 4-H leader, Ladies Aid member/leader and a faithful community events participant and helper. Drinking coffee with a cookie treat, reading daily devotions, listening to music, working word find puzzles and enjoying family visits were the favorite things to do in her retirement years. Just eight months ago she moved from her daughter's home to live at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck. Until just a few days ago she was getting up early, as usual, getting herself dressed, and enjoying meals and activities at the Care Center. She is survived by three daughters; Carol (Larry) Robin, Minneapolis, MN, Ariann (Jim) Skoog, Mandan, and Tyrona (Bob) Schroeder, Medford, OR; ten grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Preceding her in death were her husband, Leonard in 1962; her son Lavern in 2012; her twin sister Bertha; five sisters, three brothers, and one grandchild.