Clarabell A. Neel

clarabell neel

Clarabell A. Neel

Clarabell Amelia Ames was born in Arnold, Nebraska on August 8, 1922, the daughter of Herbert & Myrtle Ames.    Clarabell was the youngest of three children, and she was six years old when her mother passed away.  All three children went to different foster families.     Clarabell was taken in by Fred and Dora Beshaler.  The Beshaler’s had a one year old son, Bud, and four years later a daughter, Pat.  While on the farm, Clarabell helped raise the two children. 

Clarabell graduated from Calloway High School in 1941. In 1949 she married Herbert Neel while she was working in a hospital in Sidney, Nebraska.  She then earned her Practical Nursing diploma in 1950 from the Wayne School of Nursing.  On September 28, 1950, Clarabell & Herb had their first child, a daughter named Beckie.   Herb worked construction jobs and the family moved frequently during the next five years.  On September 30, 1955, a son, Doug was born in Denver.  

Clarabell started working as a school cook in the Littleton School District in 1962, when the family settled and bought a house in Englewood, CO.  Clarabell retired after 20 years of service with the district.  Herb and Clarabell were active in the Englewood Elks organization for many years.  Clarabell served two terms as the President of the Lady Elks, and had many fond memories of the friends and good times they enjoyed at the Elks. 

Clarabell has five grandsons, and seven great grandchildren.  Clarabell loved attending her grandsons baseball games, and watching the Broncos.  She enjoyed gardening and grew beautiful peonies, roses and four o’clocks in her yard.   Her yard was one of the best looking on the street, she took great pride in that.  After Herb passed away in 1989, she continued to live in her house, and did volunteer work at the local elementary school, reading to the students, and helping on the playground at recess.   In October 2002 she was recognized in the Sheridan Sun newspaper’s “Profile of a Star” for her dedicated volunteer work at Ora Oliver & Alice Terry elementary schools.

In 2004, Clarabell developed serious health issues and was unable to continue to live on her own.  Her last years were spent in assisted living, where she enjoyed some of the activities provided, and made a few new friends.   Clarabell celebrated her 90th birthday on August 8, 2012 with cake and flowers.  In declining health due to kidney and heart failure, Clarabell passed away on October 23, 2012. 

  Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Eastlawn Cemetery (Chapel), 19600 East Smith Road, Aurora, CO 80011.

Family and friends are encouraged to share stories & photographs here on Clarabell's website (click appropriate tab above)

 

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