Clara Dee (Kleine) Bronstad

Clara Dee Kleine Bronstad, 92, passed away on December 24, 2023 at Lutheran Sunset Ministries. A funeral service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at Norse on Saturday, December 30th at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the Norse Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clifton Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 29th, 4 to 6 p.m.

Clara Dee was born on April 24, 1931 in Clifton, Texas to Edward and Aurina Schroeder Kleine. Clara Dee married Clifford V. Bronstad on March 8, 1952. Three daughters were welcomed into the family, Deborah, Sherry, and Hazel.

While the children were young, Clara Dee enjoyed baking for the public. She made many wedding and birthday cakes, cookies, and pies. In her later years, she is most remembered for her delicious cinnamon rolls that were shared with many deserving friends and family. She was Receptionist at Goodall-Witcher Clinic and then at the Sunset Home. She also joined Clifford working at Bertelsen’s Clothing Store.

Clara Dee had a servant’s heart. She loved everyone and genuinely cared about their well-being. She was a very active volunteer in her community. She was also a big supporter of Veterans as evidenced by her many awards for volunteer service. Clara Dee also volunteered many hours at the Sunset Home prior to her residency there. She became a prolific artist during her residency at the Sunset Home and won several awards for her paintings. She was one of the founding members and a Life Member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Clifton Chapter. Everyone enjoyed her hamburgers at the VFW Friday burger night. Many remember her at every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day Service wearing her red, white and blue and that sparkly cap! She loved her church family at Our Savior’s Lutheran at Norse and was very active in service to the church.

Faith, family, and country were the most important things in Clara Dee’s life. She read scriptures at the Sunset Home Chapel Service almost every Sunday morning until her eyesight no longer allowed her to do so and she enjoyed being the greeter there. Hosting family gatherings for holidays and birthdays were a great joy for her. She enjoyed being “Mammaw the Greatest” to her great-grandchildren.

Clara Dee was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clifford, 3 sisters and 3 brothers, and her daughter, Deborah. She is survived by her sister, Geneva Coughlin of Morgan, Texas; daughters: Sherry Duke and husband, Tom, of Clifton, Hazel Zellmer and husband Ron, of Kyle, Texas; grandchildren: Alana Latiolais and husband Tim of Fort Worth, Texas, Zach Duke and wife, Kristin of Gallatin, Tennessee, Jeremy Everett and wife, Crystal of China Spring, Texas; 6 great grandchildren: Axl and Sade Everett, William Latiolais, Madison, Weston, and Ella Duke; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers include Gary and Kevin Coughlin, Jerry Kleine, Tim Kleine, Barry Pitts, and Glenn Kleine.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sunset Home, Hospice Sunset, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, or Norse Cemetery Fund.