Marrion Clairmont
RONAN — Marrion J. VanNess Clairmont was born on Dec. 4, 1949, to George and Evalina VanNess, the ninth child of 11 children. Marrion passed away on May 26, 2020, in her home surrounded by family.
Marrion was a jack of all trades when it came to work. Growing up there were calves, pigs, chickens, and rabbits to feed and she helped milk cows. Later in her teen years she bucked bales for money along with her brothers and sister.
She loved the outdoors and hated housework and to this day still hates housework. After high school, she attended Kinman Business College and then returned home. She tended bar at the Pheasant for 29 years, cooked at St. Luke Community Hospital, Connie’s Countryside Café and at the Mission Mountain Country Club. She also worked for the Lake County Senior Center and the Lake County Council on Aging cleaning houses. She worked for The Lake County Leader and Advertiser and worked in the spuds for the Starkel boys. Her last job was meat wrapping for Jake’s Meat processing, which was one of her favorite and most loved jobs. The list goes on and on. Along with all of her jobs, Marrion did cake decorating and sewing for people. She also loved gardening, house plants, crocheting and sewing. Her adventures to the Bison Range every week or twice a week were her main vacation trips.
Marrion also did volunteer work at the VFW in Ronan for nine years making soup every day, luncheon, dinner on Wednesdays and holiday luncheons. And we can’t forget her famous cinnamon rolls/sticky buns she made.
Marrion was the Lake County DAV van coordinator making sure vets were getting rides to and from their doctor appointments. She volunteered 22,500 plus hours. Even though Marrion was shy and backwards, you would never know it, she always enjoyed being around people and helping people and she loved her vets.
Marrion was preceded in death by her parents, George and Evalina VanNess; two brothers, Jerry and Charles VanNess; two nephews, Brian and Troy VanNess; and a very dear cousin, Dottie Molina.
Marrion is survived by her three children: Quinn (Audrea) Clairmont and their five boys - Jack, Connor, Ivan, Cordell and Orrin of Elkton, Kentucky; Sharline (Adam) McFarland; Elizabeth and Madison of Ronan; JoAnna (Robert) Keenan and their son, Elijah of Ronan; and her granddaughter, Rozlyn (Tyler) Uhrich and their daughter, Arabella of Pablo. Marrion is also survived by her six brothers: George (Marge) VanNess of Pomeroy, Washington, Roy (Faye) VanNess of Arlee, Rob (Judy) VanNess of Pablo, Pede VanNess of Ronan, Rod (Peggy) VanNess of Polson, and Joe VanNess of Reno, Nevada; and two sisters: Phyllis Sharbono of Ronan and Gail (Jack) Clark of Tacoma, Washington.
Marrion will be missed by her family and friends but don’t dwell on her passing as she is going to a better, painless place. Like she always said “throw some dirt on it and suck it up,” and “You can’t cry over spilt milk.”
She dedicated the song “Wind beneath My Wings,” to her kids, grandkids, her brothers, sisters and her friends. She loved you all so very much.
A graveside service was held at Ronan Cemetery. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family at: www.shriderthompson.com. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.
