The following obituaries appeared in the November 29, 2023 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
For more area obituaries, please visit Schwab Mortuary.
For more resources including headstones, please visit the Star Valley Historical Society.
Clara Jensen
Clara Jensen, a beloved grandmother, mother, and wife, passed away peacefully at her home on November 19, 2023. Born on January 6, 1944, in Afton, Wyoming, Clara was the daughter of Thomas and Pauline Rainey. She grew up on a ranch in Freedom, Wyoming, alongside her two brothers, Reed and Kent Rainey, and her sister, Jean Johns.
From a young age, Clara exhibited a strong work ethic and a deep love for her family. On January 16, 1964, she married the love of her life, Ron Jensen, in Palm Springs, California. Together, they built a beautiful life and were blessed with four children: Todd Jensen, Debbie Jensen, Patty Wolfley, and Paul Jensen. Clara’s devotion to her family was unwavering, and she always prioritized their needs above her own.
Clara’s impact reaches far beyond her immediate family, as she leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Her love and dedication were felt not just by her children, but by each subsequent generation. Clara cherished her role as a grandmother, and her grandchildren held a special place in her heart.
The funeral service for Clara Jensen will be held on Monday, November 27, and will be a private gathering for family. It is a time for loved ones to come together and pay their respects to a remarkable woman whose presence will be deeply missed. Clara’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know and love her.
Sara Kittleson
Her blue eyes grabbed everyone’s attention. Her sweet, quiet disposition and wicked sense of humor led her through life for 91 years. Sara Mae (Solverson) Kittleson of Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming died of natural causes on July 4, 2023, giving it her best to recover from a fall which caused five fractured ribs. She was one tough and determined lady, defying all odds, keeping herself going after a minor stroke in 2006, while continuing to play golf, visit with friends, and travel to the midwest. She was always striving to “get back on her feet”, whether it be using a cane or a walker, never giving up. Sara was lovingly cared for by her husband of 68 years, Gerald Kittleson (Jerry), and for the last year of her life, a part time caregiver and family supported her independence in the home. Sara transitioned as she always wanted….peacefully and comfortably with Jerry, her kids, her grandchildren and the support of Hospice.
Sara was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on May 10, 1932 to Selmer and Clara Solverson. Her early childhood years were spent on the farm in Ferryville that her maternal grandparents owned, which eventually became Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Sara’s youth was spent on the family farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin, where her grandparents were well known in the community as they bailed out the bank in town during the Great Depression. Sara loved all the farm animals, especially the barn cats. Walking to the country school in the winter was always a challenge as the boys would throw snowballs at her (little did they know that was not the way to a girl’s heart). The violin, piano and academics were important to her.
After graduating from Viroqua High School, Sara attended Luther College in Decorah, IA from 1950-1954, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a double major in English and Biology, while also playing violin in the orchestra and working for the college newspaper. She met the love of her life, Jerry, in 1952. Sara and her roommate would watch for him from their dorm room
window. She captured his attention and they were engaged in her senior year in 1954. After Sara secured a job in Gaylesville, Wisconsin teaching English, Biology, and Drama, Jerry transferred to Winona State University to be closer to her. They were married August 6, 1955 and later moved to Rochester, Minnesota when Jerry got a job with IBM. All of their four children (Karla, Ron, Sandi, Annette) were born in Rochester. While raising four children under the age of five, Sara still found time to read, sew and work at the public library.
In 1965, the family moved to Longmont, Colorado after Jerry was transferred with IBM. Sara resumed her career, teaching English at Longmont Junior High School. She always had a special place in her heart for the “difficult” students and therefore gained their respect. Sara also worked at the Longmont Public Library and began her Masters in Library Science at University of Colorado, Boulder. Grading papers, enjoying Bridge with the ladies, playing the violin in the local orchestra, sewing, gardening, reading, swimming with the family at the local pool and scenic drives in the mountains consumed her free time in the Rockies. Yearly, the family drove to the midwest to visit the many relatives of Sara and Jerry.
After Colorado, the family moved to San Jose, California where Sara completed her Masters in Library Science at San Jose State University in 1974. Her passion, knowledge and strong organizational skills served her well for 15 years as Records Manager for Farm Machinery Corporation, Food Machinery International and the Law
Firm of Hopkins & Carley, the last position which Sara enjoyed the most.
The family continued to make yearly trips to the Midwest. Sara played violin in the local San Jose orchestra and Bridge with neighbors, while also sewing, reading and learning to play golf. Sara’s dedication to doing things well proved itself again in golf. She was a consistent “hit it down the middle” player for many years, with her best score of 85 at Riverside Golf Club.
In 1989, Sara quit working and she and Jerry bought a lot in Star Valley Ranch, WY in 1992, where they built their log home on the 10th tee of the golf course. Growing up and living with winters in the midwest and Colorado set the tone for Wyoming winters. Snowmobiling in Yellowstone was quite an experience. Playing pool in the basement and close friend gatherings became the winter pastime. After a few years of Wyoming winters, Sara and Jerry became snow birds and resided in Tucson, Arizona for six months of the year, allowing them to play golf year round.
In 2014, Sara and Jerry chose to be in their beautiful log home in Wyoming full time. For many summers, they organized Sunday golf tournaments with friends, held anniversary and family reunion parties every five years, attended grandchildren’s graduations, and continued to travel to the midwest.
Sara is survived by her husband, Jerry, who she had been together with for 70 years; her children Karla Conroy (Ed), Ron Kittleson (Terri), Sandi Hansen, and Annette Holland (Jim); her grandchildren Katie (Andy), Jill, Emily, Inga (Nic), Wes, Aimee, Chris and Erin; her great grandchildren Jackson and Lacey.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Selmer and Clara Solverson and her brother, Alan Solverson.
Sara lived an extraordinary life filled with adventure, family, friends, sunsets, wine on the porch and love. She will be forever remembered for her kindness, smile, sense of humor and sparkling blue eyes. A Celebration of Life will take place in June 2024 in Wyoming with the beautiful canyon and sunset at her beckoning call.
Donations to the Thayne Public Library, Thayne Senior Center, and/or Lucky’s Place AHASV are appreciated on her behalf.
Memories and correspondences can be sent to kconroy16@yahoo.com.
