Florence Christine Clar's Obituary
Florence “Babe” Balderston Clar was born on April 7, 1921 in Haigler, Nebraska. She passed on August 19, 2019 from Alzheimers at the Pioneer House in Sacramento, CA
Her parents, Charles and Isabel Balderston, along with her eight siblings moved to Englewood, Colorado in 1921. . She was named Babe, being the “baby” of the family. She grew up on a farm with her brothers and sisters helping their parents. Babe worked the fields, milked the cows and delivered milk with her brother, Pete. She helped her mother and sisters cook and clean, tend to the chickens and whatever was needed. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family and was ready to go “Home to her MaMa.”
She attended Lowell Elementary and Englewood High School, but due to the Great Depression had to quit school at the age of 16. She went to work as a nanny for the owners of the Whitman Candy Co. She thought she was rich, as she had her own private bedroom and indoor bathroom for the first time in her life. During WWII, she was our families Rosie the Riveter, attaching fuses to incendiary bombs. She was proud of her service to this Country and wanted to do her part.
The year’s quickly passed and she found herself a single mother of four children. She had various jobs in Denver, Englewood and Littleton as a cook, cleaning lady, waitress and bartender. In the 1960’s she worked for the son of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt as a cook. On one of Eleanor Roosevelt’s visits, Florence, made breakfast for Eleanor. She said she was very gracious and kind and gave her a $5.00 tip. She taught all of her children to work hard, give more then you get, be independent and be thankful. When she found her nest empty; she decided to move to Sacramento, CA in 1975. In Sacramento, she worked for SEIU for 20 years, retiring in 1995.
She was an avid Bingo Player and loved going to Reno to play the Slot Machines. She raised Miniature Poodles and traveled as much as she could visiting family and friends. Her favorite vacation was cruising the Hawaiian Islands, a dream she had had for years, with her daughters and son-in-law, Jerry. She loved to have fun and laugh and was always the first one ready for a party.
Her greatest passion was her family. She is survived by her daughters; Evelyn Adams of Sacramento, Joanne Fults of Redding, Miriam DeFluiter (Gary) of Kuna, Idaho, son William Karr (Arlene) of Las Vegas, Nevada and her Bonus son, Jerry Fults of Redding.
Grandchildren Donald, Anna, Randy, Kristi, Jon and Jason and her special Great Granddaughter Vicky whom she loved dearly. Ten Greats and ten Great Greats. Plus, many nieces and nephews scattered around the Country.
To the staff at Pioneer House, the family of Florence, thank you for your professionalism, your patience and the love you extended to our mother. She was one feisty woman.
We will love her forever and she will be forever in our in hearts. We will never forget your KISSES!! Rest in Peace and soar with the Angels.
A Celebration of Life will be held on September 1st at 2:00 p.m. at Evelyn’s House, 3345 Albany Way, Sacramento, CA 95838
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