Almira Lilly McClure, age 96, of Luverne, died Friday March 14, 2014 at the Minnesota Veterans Home, in Minneapolis. She was born March 28, 1917 in Logan County, ND, to Thorvald and Thilda Friestad.
Almira graduated from high school in Valley City, ND. Continuing her education at Valley City State University, she majored in Business Administration. On September 15, 1938, she married Frank McClure in Sioux Falls, SD. They were happily married for 62 years until his death in 2003.
Almira worked at the Rock County Star Herald and Tri State Insurance in Luverne. During WWll, she held at a variety of secretarial jobs as she moved with Frank to naval bases across the United States, until his deployment to the Caribbean. Following his discharge from the Navy in 1945, the couple returned to their home in Luverne.
Almira was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, VFW Auxiliary, Rock County Extension Club, and the Moccasins. She also belonged to American Field Services and was a host parent to Yoshinao Akima of Japan. Her favorite pastimes included bowling, floral arranging, cooking, crossword puzzles, and attending the many activities of her children and grandchildren.
Among those who survived her and gratefully shared her life are her son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Kathy McClure, Edina; daughter, Julie McClure, Council Bluffs, IA; two grandchildren, Matthew and Charise and great grandchildren, Noah and Avery.
Preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, Tilmer and Alfred, and her husband, Frank.