Clara Cornelius Sterling
Polson -- Clara Cornelius Sterling died of natural causes Oct. 25, 2011 at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan, at age 96. She was born Jan. 21, 1915 in Newark, Greene County, Ind., to Myrtle Viola Hubbard Cornelius and Peter Cornelius. Her maternal grandparents were James Riley Hubbard and Emma Maria Hoxsey Hubbard of Spangle, Wash. Her paternal grandparents were John Henry Cornelius and Sarah Francis Livingston Cornelius of Greene County, Ind. With her parents and siblings, Clara arrived in Ronan aboard the train in 1920 at age five. Her parents farmed on Cornelius Road in Round Butte. She attended elementary school in Round Butte and high school in Ronan well before the area had electricity, a water system, or paved roads. Many times she walked the 5 miles to school in Ronan. But, in winter, she boarded in town with persons now unknown. One of her extracurricular activities was the girls’ basketball team at a time when girls were limited to playing only half court and only allowed one dribble. Her teams were champions from 1931 to 1933. After high school, she was engaged as a clerk at the A.M. Sterling Company general store (located at the approximate site of the Community Bank of Ronan). There she caught the attention of the boss’ son Robert Thorne “Bob” Sterling, and they married Sept. 9, 1940. They lived in an apartment in the Sterling Hotel (adjacent to the general store) for a time, and then moved to Bob’s family home on the southeast edge of Ronan in the early 1940’s. She kept quite busy raising a family of six children and was renowned for sewing and knitting clothes for her children, friends and acquaintances. Knitting Christmas stockings for children, grandchildren, and friends gave her special pleasure. She was also renowned for her cooking, especially her cinnamon rolls and pies, which she shared with many. As her children grew, she became involved in their many activities, including becoming a 4H mother. She was especially noted for her annual vegetable garden, not only in Ronan, but also later at their Flathead Lake cabin. She harvested and shared her produce with friends and neighbors until age 89. While in Ronan, she was active in bridge club, Sacred Heart Parish, and the Lake County Fair. She was a vigorous swimmer at Grizzly Pool and Flathead Lake, lifted weights, and water-skied until age 70. When Bob departed the family business in Ronan, they moved to Medford, Oregon. At this point several children were in or approaching college age, so she worked to supplement the family income at the Harry and David Fruit Packing Plant. After one year, the family returned to Montana at Missoula. Clara became the first receptionist for Dr. Stephen Dailey, DDS, where she worked until health issues required retirement. After Bob retired, the two summered at their lakeside place in Polson and spent winters in Scottsdale, Arizona. They finally relinquished that lifestyle in 2002 and resided in Missoula during the winter, returning to Polson and the garden in the summer time. In 2004, they established residency at the St. Joseph Assisted Living Center in Polson until Bob’s death in March 2006. Clara continued there until the summer of 2008 when health issues necessitated her final move to the St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan.
Clara was preceded in death by her husband Bob Sterling; parents Peter and Myrtle Cornelius; siblings Emma Neumeister, John Cornelius, Jim Cornelius, Charity Taber, Ray Cornelius, and Myrtle Hawkins; and grandson Daniel Sterling.
Clara is survived by her brother Lawrence (Lorraine Solomon) Cornelius, of Round Butte; children Rob “Robin” (Peg) Sterling of Missoula, Janet (John) Fine of Helena, Jack (Carol) Sterling of Billings, Joe Sterling of Billings, Cornelius “Neil”, “Cory” Sterling of Milwaukee, Wis., and Mary (Tom) Moe of Idaho Falls, Idaho; grand and great-grandchildren Rob (Meghan) Sterling, (Stefany and Kelcey); Beth (Mark) Sawtelle, (Timothy, Sara, and Nicholas); John C. Sterling; Ann (Trent) Waibel, (Brinn and Kieron); Thomas (Brynne) Sterling, (Samuel and Claire); David Fine; John Fine; Amy (Mike) Borger, (Jordan and fiancé Stefan, Shane, Troy, and Keaton); John M. Sterling; Anna Marie (Tim) Clark, (Thomas and Sophie); William “Bill” (Meredith) Moe, (Margaret and Patrick); and many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.
The family is grateful to the caregivers and staff of St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan, St. Joseph Assisted Living in Polson, physicians Ed Vizcarra, MD of Ronan, Steve Irwin, MD of Polson, and David Gorman, MD formerly of Polson.
Clara always regretted never attending college, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Sterling and Clara Cornelius Sterling Memorial Scholarship, c/o Carroll College Advancement Office, 1601 N. Benton, Helena MT 59625, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
A vigil service was held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Polson at 7:00 pm on Friday, October 28. The funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at Immaculate Conception Church in Polson. Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home of Ronan is in charge of arrangements.
