Clara “Mike” Michels Egan
Born November 14, 1930 and passed through the gates of heaven in the early morning hours of October 20, 2013. Born in Beach, ND, fourth child of Emma Lillian Settera Michels and Frank Joseph Michels. Raised on a family farm four miles West of Beach, ND. Of interest is that the actual farm was in Montana and the house was in ND.
Graduated from Beach High school in the spring of 1950. In June of 1951, she entered nursing school at the Presentation School of Nursing in Miles City and graduated in1954.
Mom’s career as a RN included caring for many special patients to include the littlest ones at Shodair Children’s Hospital retiring in January 1988.
In 1953, she met Joseph Egan, the love of her life. They were married on June 16, 1955.
Our beloved Clara, wife/mother/grandmother, is survived by her husband of 58 years, Joseph, children Stephanie (Boni), Frank (Deb), Matt (Lenette), Mary (Lee) and Patrick (Melissa), grandchildren Katy, Andrew (Autumn), Ashley, Natalie, Cameron, Joshua, Emily and Garrett and great grandchildren Blaine, Lena and Madalyn and brother George Michels.
Mom leaves behind a legacy of generosity, kindness, warmth and love. We’re missing our mama already.
Mike has requested no flowers but contributions be made to the Priest’s Retirement Fund through Saint Helena Cathedral – Helena , MT 59601.
A Rosary will be held 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at Retz Funeral Home Chapel, 315 E. 6th Ave., Helena. A Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St., Helena. A committal service will follow the mass at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will take place immediately following at the Cathedral of St. Helena in the Brondel Center. Please see below to offer a condolence to the family.
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday October 23, 2013
Retz Funeral Home Chapel
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Rite of Committal
following the Mass
Thursday October 24, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
immediately following the burial
Thursday October 24, 2013
Cathedral of St. Helena, Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing St
Helena, MT 59601
Service Schedule
Rosary
6:00 p.m.
Wednesday October 23, 2013
Retz Funeral Home Chapel
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Rite of Committal
following the Mass
Thursday October 24, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N. Montana Ave
Helena, MT 59601
Reception
immediately following the burial
Thursday October 24, 2013
Cathedral of St. Helena, Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing St
Helena, MT 59601
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Richard and Georgia Miller says
Dear Uncle Joe and your entire family, Please accept our deepest thoughts and sympathy on the passing of your lovely wife, your Mother, your Grandmother, and for me, my Aunt. We pray that God will grant you peace and understanding. And, we pray that you can celebrate her life and enjoy the memories of how she touched so many around her. We cannot be there physically but we are there in spirit. Love and hugs from Illinois to all of you. Love, Georgia (Michels) and Richard Miller
John and Sherri Staats says
Joe and Family,
We are very sad by the passing of this lovely lady. We truly enjoyed sharing Mass with both of you, being your neighbor and seeing you walk “Sammy”. You will be in your thoughts and prayers. We know your entire family has wonderful memories of her. She is now resting in the arms of our Blessed Mother.
Margaret (Egan) Vallante of Rhode Island says
Uncle Joe and Family,
Sending heartfelt sympathies to each of you in the loss of your beloved (Clara “Mike”),wife,mother and grandmother. May your faith bring you comfort and the lifelong memories of your wife, mother and grandmother remain in your hearts and minds.
Many years ago my father, Bill Egan, described a visit he had with you, Uncle Joe and Clara in Montana (probably in the late eighties) as being one of the most pleasant and enjoyable times he had ever experienced with family. Why? Because he really liked Clara. He thought she was a perfect match for you!
Fondly,
Margaret (Egan) Vallante
Rhode Island
Becky Jolliff says
Patrick, Melissa and Garrett,
I am truly sorry for your loss; and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Barbara (Egan) Madrid says
Dearest Uncle Joe and Family,
May the love of God surround you and your wonderful family during this time of sorrow.
I am thankful that I was able to share a little time with you and Aunt Clara when my Dad, Bill Egan, and myself and my new 6 month old daughter April was in Montana (summer of 1980?) for the Egan Family Reunion. One of the highlights was being able to visit your home and I remember how very impressive your Train set-up was! I will always remember with fondness your families hospitality. I am thankful for you and Aunt Clara for being part of my wonderful Egan Family memories.
You’re in our thoughts and prayers,
With Sympathy and Hugs,
Barbara (Egan) Madrid
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trish Languirand says
Dear Mr. Egan, Stephanie, Boni, Patrick, Melissa, and ALL the Egan clan, The one and only time I spoke with “Mama” Clara, the very dear Mrs. Egan, we had a chat on the phone for perhaps 10 minutes. Mrs. Egan ended the call by saying (after a short time out) “I love you Trish!” …. I knew then and there I was hooked!. I loved this dear woman as well and I was grateful for the 10 minutes she shared with me. There is an old German proverb that states “those who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time.” Perhaps you can all take solace in the fact that there will be a reunion one day and Clara Egan will be preparing for that day with great anticipation and love. With deepest sympathy, The Languirand’s … Trish, Rick, Richard, Cary, Mary and Bailey
Brother Bede Baldry FSC says
I was so happy to visit her a few weeks ago. Loved the visit. Joe sad time ahead but know of my prayers and lovee. Live Jesus in ou hearts, forever !
Deb Behan says
My heart goes out to all the Egans. Joe, may you find peace at this horribly sad time. Matt, I wish I could hug you tightly my good friend. I love you so much. Sorry I cannot make the trek out, I wish I could. Hope to see you in January. Praying for all of you.
Heather Bayless Duane says
Joe and kids,
I have so many fond/funny memories of the Egan family. We Bayless’s had a rousing time at your house on many occasion. Your mom taught me how to make those wonderful Rosette’s( Christmas cookies), her cooking was always the best. I will miss her laugh and terrific smile. Please know you are all in my thoughts, I know she is watching over all of us from heaven.
Robyn Bayless Ward says
Joe, Steph, Frank, Matt, Mary, Patrick, all spouses and kids,
I have so many memories at the Egan house as kids whether it was chatting it up in the kitchen, eating good food, listening to all your dad’s many jokes, watching the train set in the basement, and riding bikes to the Municipal Pool with Mary! Your mom was at the center of it all. She took care of me at Shodair when I had my tonsils out! I have clear memories of her giving me that popsicle afterward 🙂 Even in her last weeks, she was still so cheerful and upbeat when I visited. That last hug I got from her will be etched in my memory forever. Our sincere condolences go out to you all, who were the heart of her life ….. she is in the Peace of Heaven now, looking down upon all of us with her twinkling eyes.
Doug Olson says
Joe and family–
You were fortunate to have been blessed with a wonderful wife and mother with whom I had the pleasure to have met as a parishioner at the Cathedral and been invited to share many a Sunday breakfast after church in your home. Clara loved you all and spoke often of the pride in her children. She had many views on her world and often shared them, not pausing to mince words. It was a quality that made her refreshing to be around. Her Christian faith was also at the center of who she was. While I moved from Helena to Minneapolis some time ago, I will always remember the good times at the Egan home with Joe and Clara and the love that was demonstrated. My prayers go out to you all.
Doug Olson, Minneapolis.
Michelle Egan says
Dearest Uncle Joe and my cousins:
I provide to you and yours my deepest and sincerest sympathy. I have very fond memories of Aunt Mike, in particular when my Dad Bill Egan and I stayed at the house on W. Ewing and Mike convinced me to go out on the roof ledge to help with scraping the wood frames around the windows. She was so kind and warm to us when we all met in Lewistown.
WIth warmest regards, prayers, and sympathy,
Michelle Egan
Helen Swanson says
Joe and family ,
Was surprised to read about Clara, I look for obituaries of nurses and people I knew.
Bob died of cancer back on 12/26/10. Father Jim was home ahead of time, so he gave his Dad the sacrament of the sick the second time the night before he died. It has been so long since we have heard from you people. Betty Holzwarth would tell me when she saw Clara. That was such a nice picture of her. Sympathy and prayers for her and family.
Helen