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Clara Riggles Conner, 96, a longtime resident of Cass Lake, MN, died Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji, MN.

Clara was born on August 9, 1919 to Frank and Elizabeth (Brooks) Shamp. She grew up in Pine River, MN; graduated from St. Francis High School in Little Falls, MN; and received her teaching credentials from Pine River Normal School. A teaching job brought her to the Cass Lake area, where she met and married Clifford Riggles in 1940. Together Clara and Clifford raised three children there. Clara worked many years as a bookkeeper for Frank's Mill Lumber Yard, and for Wheeler Lumber and Bridge Company. After the death of her husband, Clifford, she married Willard Conner of Cass Lake in 1987.

Clara was always busy, very dedicated to her family. There was nothing she wouldn't tackle without success. While working 8-hour days as a bookkeeper for the lumber mills, she also raised chickens, baked pies, and did the bookkeeping for the Sweet Shop Café owned by her sons. She enjoyed being a homemaker, gardening, flowers, RV travel with Willard, and all family gatherings. She was a lifelong member of St. Charles Catholic Church who embraced her strong faith in God on a daily basis.

Clara is survived by her daughter, Arlene Bubar; daughter-in-law, Pat Riggles; stepdaughter, Judy (Dennis) Swearingen; stepson, Dennis (Georgeinne) Conner; 6 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Marie Johnson of Dayton, NV and Kaye Davis of Weatherford, TX; 1 brother, Vernon (Lorraine) Shamp of Elysian, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Clifford Riggles; sons, Kenneth Riggles and Joseph Riggles; 3 grandchildren, Chuck, Angela, and David; 2 brothers, Bert and Archie; 3 sisters, Pearl, Vi, and Ruth; second husband, Willard Conner; and step-grandson, Brad.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cass Lake, MN on Friday, August 14, 2015 with visitation and rosary one hour prior to mass. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, followed by lunch at St. Charles. To leave a online condolence for the family of Clara please go to www.dennisfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Dennis Funeral Home of Walker, MN.[[In-content Ad]]

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