Haggen, Clara Henrietta Stroops

Clara Henrietta Stroops Haggen passed away in Bellingham, WA, on June 10, 2004, at the age of 94. Clara was born to Anna Frostad Stroops of Molde, Norway, and Henry Clinton Stroops of Rushville, Illinois, on July 24, 1909, in Oak Harbor, WA. Henry Stroops moved to Washington while it was still a territory and Clara holds a WA State Pioneer Certificate. She graduated from Oak Harbor High School, went to college at the Washington State Normal School, receiving her Teaching Certificate, and in 1950 received her B.A. in Education from Western Washington State College. Clara taught school in Oak Harbor and Bellingham for 16 years. She spent the majority of her life in Bellingham. Clara married Gilbert Christian Haggen on July 3, 1934. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1997, her son Glenn Allen Haggen in 1993, and her son-in-law Roy Swanson in 1992. She is survived by her daughter Nadine Swanson of Bellingham; daughter-in-law Beth Haggen Fraser of Dickinson, Texas; grandchildren: Laurie Stickle (William), Kathleen Poissot (Matthew), Gayle Wellnitz, Glenna Barlow (Kevin), David Haggen (MaryAnn), Marlene Richardson (Steve), Kristi Leaf, and Warren Swanson; and 15 greatgrandchildren. Clara came from a family of four sisters and one brother. Two sisters, Gertrude Wineman and Rosa Schenaker, and many nieces and nephews survive her. Clara had a sense of humor and enjoyed being with her children and grandchildren. She liked school, reading, fishing, rock collecting and polishing, traveling, family genealogy, flowers, and family reunions. She was a cheerful, openminded person who seldom complained. Graveside services will be held at Bayview Cemetery, 1420 Woburn, at 10:00 AM, Monday, June 14th, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM, at Jones-Moles Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 2530 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225; or a charity of choice. You may share your thoughts and memories of Clara in the online memorial guest book at www.jonesmoles.com. Jones Moles Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

The Bellingham Herald, (WA) - June 12, 2004 

(submitted by Ida Maack Recu)