Clara Vera Tibbits

Clara Vera Hanson Tibbits

Funeral services for Clara Vera Hanson Tibbits, 84, lifelong resident of Niobrara County, were held Friday, April 10, 1992, at the Bader-Peet Mortuary. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery next to her husband.

Pallbearers were Gene Harris, Paul Ellicott, Rex Groves, Steve Kant, Joe McCullough and Ron Shoults.

Tibbits died Sunday, April 5, 1992, at the Niobrara County Memorial Hospital in Lusk. She was born March 10, 1908, to John A. and Ida Mae (Sides) Hanson at the family ranch four miles north of Van Tassell, Wyo. She was the youngest of five daughters and four sons. Her brothers and sisters were Guy Hanson, Ruby Lohr, Edna Hanson, Florence Heckert, Helen Holmes, John Hanson (who died in 1919), Frank Hanson and Bert Hanson, who died in infancy. All preceded her in death.

The family was raised with the love of parents and ever-present uncles and cousins of the Sides and Hanson extended families. Descendants of these families still live in the Nebraska Panhandle and eastern Wyoming.

Tibbits' focus in life was her family. Her father emphasized the importance of education and hired teachers who came to the family home and later rented a house in Harrison where they lived while the children were in school.

Tibbits graduated from Harrison High School in 1926 where she trained to teach and did practice teaching. She and her sister, Helen, attended summer schools at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and Chadron State College in Chardon, Neb.

Her first teaching assignment was at Star School, two miles west of the Hanson Ranch. Her students included Gale Larson, Nyal Siemsen and Eva and Dolly and Tommy Baldwin. She later taught at Pine Knot School at Whitman, Wyo. and at the Rochelle School 15 miles north of Lance Creek.

During her first year of teaching, she met Ansel (Slim) Tibbits. In 1930, she and her sister, Helen, had planned a double wedding for June 29. The death of Slim's father forced the couple to postpone their wedding. They were married July 19, 1930, in Boulder, Colo. with her parents as witnesses.

The couple took up residence in Lusk where both remained throughout their lives. Slim operated an auto repair garage and Skelly service station and in 1953 built and operated a Phillip's 66 distributorship. Clara kept the books for the business until Slim retired in 1967.

The couple had one daughter, Evelyn, who was born Aug. 10, 1931. The couple also helped raise a nephew, Dick Tibbits and a niece, Alma Tibbits.

Slim died May 13, 1968. That same year, Clara's Aunt, Carrie Hitchcock, moved from Denver, Colo., into Clara's rental house and in 1970, Edna Hanson, Clara's sister, came to live with her. The three ladies enjoyed each other's company, participating in family activities and traveling. An avid gardener, Clara raised strawberries, raspberries and a variety of flowers.

In later years, Clara enjoyed traveling with her daughter. Among places they visited were Alaska and Hawaii and went to see grandchildren and other relatives. The special joy of Clara's life was her great-granddaughter, Rachelle.

Clara is survived by her daughter, Evelyn Perry of Lusk, a stepdaughter, Audrey Hilhouse of Phoenix, Ariz.; a nephew, Richard Tibbits of Sutherland, Neb., niece, Alma Howell of Casper; five grandchildren, Michael Perry of Houston, Texas, Gary L. Perry of Newcastle, Gene Perry of Seattle, Wash., Sharon Perry of Casper and Eric Johnstone of Bozeman, Mont.; a great-granddaughter, Rachelle Perry and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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