My Grandpa Clabe Wilson was born January 7, 1888. I sure wish I remembered him.
Mom and I lived with Grandma and Grandma at Minburn my first two months. I was a toddler when we lived at the Perry acreage when families couldn’t be where Dad was stationed. I was two years old when Grandpa Clabe died.
Clabe D. Wilson Laid to Rest
Once Lived Near Dexter
Funeral services were held Oct. 9 for Claiborne (Clabe) D. Wilson, former Dexter resident at the Workman Funeral home in Perry.
The Rev. Lyle V. Newman of the First Christian Church officiated and burial was in the Violet Hill cemetery.
Music was furnished by Mrs. John Canutt and Mrs. Galen Fiscel, accompanied by Mrs. Charles Cornelius. Songs included “No Night There” and “God Will Take Care of You.”
Casket bearers were Lester Crumley, Roy Snyder, Everett Shaw, and Carl Reeves of Minburn, and Kenneth Neal and Pete [Jensen] of Dexter.
Obituary
Claiborne Daniel Wilson, 58, died Saturday, October 5, 1946, at his home two miles southeast of Perry. He had suffered a general breakdown in health.

He was born January 7, 1888, near Coon Rapids in Carroll county, the son of Georgia Ann and Daniel Ross Wilson.
During his lifetime he farmed in various localities including Guthrie Center, Stuart, Dexter, and Minburn. He moved to his present home about two years ago. The family lived near Dexter nearly 20 years, leaving there about 8 years ago.

On February 15, 1914, he was married to [Leora] Frances Goff, who survives. Also living are two sons, Delbert G. of Perry and Donald W., who is in the Navy, two daughters, Mrs. Warren D. Neal of Redfield and Mrs. Alvin C. Scar of Earlham; six grandchildren, a half-brother, Fred Davis of Des Moines, three sisters, Mrs. Alice McLuen of Stuart, Mrs. Fonnie [Kiggens] of Boston, Mass., and Mrs. Verna Parrott of Des Moines, and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were three sons, Dale R., Daniel S. and Claiborne [Junior], and three children who died in infancy.
[Local newspaper] October 17, 1946
Clabe Wilson had had a stroke the month before, but was home. Mom made the comment that he died of a stroke and a broken heart. Dale, Danny, and Junior lost their lives between the end of 1943 and 1945. The terrible news about two of them arrived in early 1946.
I remember your saying that Clabe died of a broken heart.
I should include that. Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Joy.
It’s interesting at what ages one begins to remember things. I’ve often wondered (usually at those fleeting “precious moments”) if my youngest grandkids will remember me. And that prods me to acknowledge (and act on) the need to put things down in writing in case they DON’T remember but should! There are always more stories to tell, especially the things they might be too young to remember.
Dennis, you can do it so well! Put that “new” typewriter to work! Or at least let it encourage more memories.
A beautiful tribute to Clabe. I bet you feel like I do: mourning someone you never met. Big hugs, Joy.
Thank you. Yes, especially since I’m just now getting to know him. In the next book, I’m exploring his growing up years (as well as Leora’s. They were so different!)