Cora May Daffin Kluesner, 95
Cora May Daffin Kluesner "was called to her heavenly home" on April 28, 2006. Cora passed away from natural causes at Barrett Hospital and Healthcare in Dillon. Cora, a longtime Lima resident, was 95 years old.
Cora was born on April 9, 1911, in Blackfoot, Idaho. She was one of five children born to Dena and William Daffin. Cora's father passed away when she was three months old. She was raised and educated in the Blackfoot area.
At one point, while living in Blackfoot, her neighbors were Bill Kluesner and his family. Bill was later widowed and Cora helped him care for his four small children. Bill and Cora were married in 1931. She enjoyed a life-long relationship with Bill's children and always referred to them as "her own." They remained in the Blackfoot area where Bill worked for the railroad. In 1940 the railroad brought the Kluesner family to settle in Lima, where they have remained since that time. Cora and Bill were blessed with nine children of their own. Bill died in 1966.
Cora endured many hardships in her lifetime and knew the true meaning of hard work and determination. In Lima she worked at the Merrell Hotel, Peat Hotel and the Holiday Motel. She also washed and ironed clothes for many people in the Lima area. She was always busy making quilts, afghans or other homemade items. She liked to travel and she was always involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was an active member of the community and the centerpoint of the Kluesner family.
Cora was a member of the Lima Ladies Aide, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Royal Neighbors of America and Neighbors of Woodcraft. She enjoyed and cherished her many friends within these organizations and Lima, in general.
Cora is survived by her sons; Louis and Diane Kluesner, Carl and Carol Kluesner, Frank and Ada Kluesner, all of Lima, Fred and Eileen Kluesner of Kalispell, John and Maria Kluesner of El Paso, Texas, and Edward and Icy May of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughters, Anna May and Don Cheney of Lima, Louise Wingert of Mackay, Idaho, Rose and Glen Kohr of Missoula, and Bernita Hultz of Blackfoot. Cora is survived by "dozens" of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren too numerous to mention, but they were each special to Cora in their very own way.
"We will all forever remember 'Grandma K.'" She is also survived by many friends and extended families.
Cora was preceded in death by her parents; brothers; sisters; husband, Bill; daughter, Gertrude; and stepchildren, Josephine Michelson, Margaret Kluesner and Joe Kluesner.
Services for Cora are planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, at the Lima Community Church. Graveside services will immediately follow at the Lima Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brundage Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials in Cora's name to the Ladies Aid and the Lima Rural Fire Department and Ambulance, P.O. Box 136, Lima, MT 59739. The family would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those involved in Cora's care over the years.