Clarabelle Hartstrom, 82, passed away on Oct. 12, 2016 in Grays Harbor Community Hospital surrounded by her family.
Clarabelle was born in Whittier, N.C. to Laura Laws and Charles Hensley on July 15, 1934. Clara grew up and attended schools in Bryson City, N.C. At the age of 19 she traveled to Washington State where she met, and married, the love of her life, and constant companion Rolland Rudolph Hartstrom Sr. after his service in The United States Army during the Occupation of Japan as a Military Police Squad Leader. On May 7, 1954 the couple were married in Hoquiam, Wash. and made Grays Harbor their home their entire lives.
Married for 41 years, Clara’s family was of utmost importance to her and she loved spending time with them. Clara had a green thumb and could grow any type of plant and flower although, fuchsia’s were her favorite often giving them away to friends and family. She also loved to go deer, elk and grouse hunting in Eastern Washington with her husband every year and was known for making the best baked grouse you ever tasted. She was also an avid reader and favored survival stories of Alaska. Clara loved sharing her life stories with her children of growing up and hunting in the mountains of North Carolina with her brother Charles. Also, as a child working on their homestead, always helping their mother harvest and can all of their foods from their garden on a wood cook stove.
In 1994 after her husband passed away she lived with her daughters until 2011, when she moved to Brookdale Assisted Living in Ocean Shores, where she lived until her death.
Clara, was a good friend to many people, but most of all a devoted wife and mother who leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion to her family. She will be forever cherished and greatly missed by her family and friends and all who knew her and her ever present smile.
In addition to her husband Rolland Hartstrom Sr. who died on Nov. 3, 1994, Clara is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Walter Hensley, sister, Juanita Siller, sister Lois Hensley, sister, Dottie Hatch, and brother Charles Hensleyand nephew Bob Cable
Clara is survived by, a son, Rolland R. Hartstrom Jr. Orting, daughters, Laura Hindman, (Del) Quartzsite, Ariz., Lanie Fry, (John) Pacific Beach and Lois Martin (Shawn) of Aberdeen, Sister Clercy Paris of Arlington, Wash. and Geraldine Collins, of Bryson City, N.C.; grandchildren Matthew Hartstrom whom she helped raise, Kendra Dedinsky, Joley Spears, Mikel Lukin, Lori Lukin, Justine Fry, Kristy Southard, Nicole Ryan and Rachel Ryan.
At this time there is no service planned.
