Claire Theresa (Dlugosh) Nekuda was taken from her earthly life to spend eternity with the Lord on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at Castle Manor Nursing Home in Hot Springs, SD. Claire was born on November 25, 1919, near Elyria, NE and joined two older sisters. She was raised on a farm and soon had more than her share of farm duties because, at the time, the absence of a brother.

One of Claire's greatest joys as a young girl was to ride horseback with her older sister, Irene. They would ride their horses "Floss" and "Dewey" whenever the opportunity arose. The girls would even hitch one of their horses to a buggy and attend local dances. At one of these dances Claire met her husband to be, Lamere.

Claire graduated from Ord High School in Ord, NE, in 1938. After high school she worked in the local area and kept close family ties.

When World War II broke out Claire became a "Rosie Riveter" helping with the war effort. She worked in a bomb making factory where her job was to melt the TNT for 500 pound bombs.

In May of 1943 she traveled to California to meet Lamere who was in the states on leave. They were married on May 6, 1943 in Pittsburg, CA. Soon Lamere returned to the South Pacific and Claire returned to Nebraska where she made ammunition until the end of the war.

After the war Claire and Lamere settled in Omaha, NE, where their first child was born. Later, Lamere got a job with the railroad and the family moved to Cheyenne, WY, where their second child was born. The opportunity to farm arose and the family moved to a farm near Sargent, NE, in the early 1950's. In 1955 Claire and Lamere acquired a farm unit on the Angostura Irrigation Project near Oral, SD, and moved there in February of 1956 where they had neither running water nor electricity. In 1957 their third child was born. Claire's dream come true occurred in 1958 when they were able to build their new home.

Claire was a wonderful "stay at home Mom" and housewife until her children were raised. In the early 1970's she took a job with Birdsal Sand and Gravel near Oral and worked there until the early 1980"s.

Claire always had a huge garden and always canned most of the family's fruit, vegetables and jellies. She loved flowers and the farm yard was always alive with numerous kinds of flowers. Her biggest joy in life was always her family. She would look forward to the days she could be with her grandchildren and always had fun things lined up for them to do including helping in the kitchen.

Claire loved to cook for her family and her kitchen often smelled of fresh baked apple or cherry pie or a roast simmering. She, more often than not, gave away much from her garden as she was a very giving person. Claire was a deeply religious person and would often visit the ill and dying and share her garden and flowers with them.

Claire is preceded in death by her husband, Lamere; her parents, Joe and Mary Dlugosh; a sister, Mary Anne and a brother, Vernon Joseph.

She is survived by her three sons, Thomas (Joan) Nekuda of Garden City, KS; James (Vickie) Nekuda of Hot Springs; Charles Nekuda of Rapid City, SD; four sisters, Irene Kuklish of Montrose, CO; Esther McIntosh of Lincoln, NE; Marguerite (Margie) Bradshaw of Lincoln, NE; Elenor Schwartz of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and her very, very special friend, Glenda Williamson whom fulfilled her lifelong dream of always wanting a daughter.

A wake will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 9, 2010, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 10, 2010, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with Father Peter Kovarik officiating.

Interment will be at 2:30 p.m., Monday, May 10, 2010 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.