Clara R. Doucette

Clara was born on November 12, 1929 in Ely, Minnesota the daughter of Bob & Margaret (Pintar) Nekich. She grew up in the Ely area and graduated from Ely Memorial High School, Class of 1947. She continued her education at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Duluth, MN, graduating with a Registered Nursing degree in 1951. Following her schooling, she worked as a polio iron lung nurse in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, and Texas. She was united in marriage to Leonard Doucette on June 18, 1955, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Ely, MN. The couple made their home in Little Falls. Clara's compassion, caring, and gentle touch was felt by the patients of St. Gabriel's Hospital and the residents St. Otto's Care Center. She retired from nursing in 1979. She was an active partner with Leonard on the dairy and turkey farm and she made sure the work crews enjoyed delicious, filling meals. Clara enjoyed playing card games, word puzzles, sewing, and needlework. She was always willing to learn new things even in the computer age. Clara loved to read especially cookbooks, and cooked for all who came to the door. Clara loved having her family around the kitchen table and sending care packages of food home with them. Clara and Leonard enjoyed camping and traveling as well as the 19 winters spent in Arizona. She was a member of the Red Hat Society in Arizona and the Gal Gobblers of Minnesota. She was also a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie, St. Anne's Christian Mothers, Our Lady of Fatima Mission Circle, and the Daughters of Isabella. Left to treasure her memory are her husband, Leonard of Little Falls, MN; children, Judi Kosbau of Little Falls, MN, Robert (Colleen) Doucette of Little Falls, MN, Nancy (Dan) Tufenk of Brainerd, MN, and Jim Doucette of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren, Nathan Kosbau of Sauk Centre, MN, Garrett Doucette of Upsala, MN, Grant Dalquist of Brainerd, MN, Tanya Dalquist of Brainerd, MN, and Connor Tufenk of Coon Rapids, MN; sister, Eleanor Kosmach of Ely, MN, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Clara was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; grandson, Evan Doucette and son-in-law, Hal Kosbau.