Clarice Benora Westby

Clarice Benora Westby, 92 of Rushford passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25, 2014, following a short illness at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home where she had been residing.Clarice was born January 31, 1922 in Rushford to Benhard and Ruth (Byboth) Johnson. She attended grade school at the Sandsness school near Bratsburg and graduated in 1939 from Rushford High School. She went on to graduate from Paul's Beauty Academy in Minneapolis. In October 1943, she married Lawrence Westby at Highland Prairie. Together they raised their four children in Rushford, Dennis (Connie) of Rochester, Ruth Peterson of Rushford, Terry (Marilynn) of Winona and JoAnn (Jay) Bunke of Rochester. Lawrence passed away in 1986.In addition to being a beautician, Clarice was a well known seamstress in the area. She especially enjoyed the challenges of creating and constructing dance costumes, cheerleading uniforms, formals and wedding attire.In 1968, she began working at Rush Products in Rushford in their quality control department. She retired from there in 1988. She then began her final and favorite career, that being nanny for her two youngest grandchildren in Rochester. She was a member of Rushford Lutheran Church and its women's groups as well as the VFW Auxiliary. In addition to sewing, Clarice was a wonderful baker and well known for her Norwegian baking. She loved to travel and went on many trips, especially after her retirement. Her family and her faith, however, were the keys to her contentment.In addition to her children, Clarice is survived by seven grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Ann Johnson of Rochester and several nieces and nephews.She was welcomed into heaven by her husband, Lawrence; sister, Lorraine Meldahl, brother, Gordon Johnson; son-in-law, Dennis Peterson and grandson, Justin Bunke.Clarice's family would like to sincerely thank the entire staff at Good Shepherd and Bremmer Suites for the wonderful care she received over the past six years. She was always treated with ultimate kindness and respect and we are so grateful.Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at Rushford Lutheran Church with the Reverend Roger Michaelson officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Tuesday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - Rushford and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at the Highland Prairie Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Lance Westby, Andrea Morrison, Nathan Peterson, Eric Westby, Elizabeth Westby Bunch, Sara Westby and Amie Benson. The family prefers memorials be directed to Good Shepherd Lutheran Home or a charity of the donor's choice.Please share a memory of Clarice, sign her online guestbook and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/535384