Clara O. Martin

Clara Ozella (Hoffman) Martin, 90, of Ashley, ND formerly of Forbes, ND died April 13, 2016 at Ashley Nursing Home. She was born December 1, 1925 to John and Katherine (Ketterling) Hoffman in Logan county, south of Streeter, ND. Clara was ninth of eleven children. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) church near Streeter. She attended Streeter high school graduating from there in 1943. Clara went on to attended State Normal and Industrial College in Ellendale where she received her teaching certificate. While at college, she met Chuck, thru his sister Esther. Clara and Chuck were married October 6, 1945 in Napoleon, ND. She taught country school for several years in the area including Coldwater, Rosedale, and Spring Valley schools. Two daughters were born to their union, Sandra and Shelda. Together, Clara and Chuck ranched and farmed their entire married life. They raised beef cattle, pail calves and pigs. They also milked cows, separated and sold cream for many years. In May 2013, Clara entered the Ashley Nursing Home residing there until her death. She was also loved very much by the staff at Ashley Medical Center. Gardening was a favorite. Along with a home filled with houseplants, Clara loved planting flowers with her vegetables. She canned many of the vegetables for her family. She was a wonderful cook and loved to feed family and friends. She also loved spending time with her family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren. Clara was always busy with crafts, especially crocheting. Over the years, she made her family many keepsakes, like afghans, until she could no longer crochet. She was a former member of Forbes Methodist church. Grateful to have shared in her life and loved very much are her daughter and son-in-law Shelda (Mark) Flaten, Ashley, ND; four grandchildren: Lisa Colgate, RioRico AZ, Lynnette Ennen, Menoken, ND, Kerri Zahn, Belle Plaine, MN, and David Flaten, San Diego, CA; seven great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Coy, Mea, and Myleigh Sandra Colgate, Sammy, Dustin and Jamie Zahn; one son-in-law: Dale Hiepler, Ellendale, ND, several nieces and nephews. Clara was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter: Sandra Hiepler and all ten siblings. The funeral is 11am Friday, April 22 at Ashley Baptist Church with Pastor Gerald “Jerry” Deppa officiating. Visitation is Thursday 3-8pm with a prayer service at 7pm at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale, ND. Visitation continues one hour prior to church services. Burial is at Ellendale City Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.