Clara Ewing Meneough

Clara Bell Ewing was born October 9, 1897 in Winterset, Iowa to Frederick Walter Ewing M.D. and Effie Jane Tarbell. Clara a lifelong resident of Grimes was the third of five children. Her siblings were Dwight Tarbell (b. 1888) Warren Walter (b. 1889) Irene (b. 1892) Lester Martyn (b. 1895) and Frederick W. (b. 1900). She died in a car accident in Des Moines, April 25, 1975. She is buried in Sunnyhill Cemetary Grimes, Iowa.

Clara's mother died March 22, 1909 and her father died August 11, 1912 leaving her parentless at 15 years ofage. Clara and her siblings stayed together as a family caring for each other. Clara completed nurses training at St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. She married Henry Matthew Meneough February 9, 1926 at St. Ambrose Rectory in Des Moines, Iowa.

Clara and Henry farmed and raised hogs. Later they moved to Grimes where they continued farming and Henry became Post Master of Grimes and sold insurance. Clara continued home making. Clara and Henry had one daughter Janeth Anne Meneough (Vanderlinden). Clara maintained her Presbyterian affiliation though Henry was Catholic and Janeth was raised as a Catholic Clara's paternal grandfather was a Presbyterian minister. Clara enjoyed visiting Duluth, Minnesota and once traveled with Henry to Seattle, Washington. There she admired the blue hydrangeas and tried to grow them back in Grimes.

She wanted to tour England but never did. Clara loved flower and vegetable gardening. She is remembered for her gladioli pansies morning glories and hydrangeas. Clara was a great cook excelling at pies. She had a subtle gentle sense of humor bright blue eyes and a heartwarming chuckle.

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