Funeral services for Coralie Ruth Clary, will be on Wednesday, November 30 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. A visitation will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a service at 10. Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery. Coralie passed away Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at her residence, Emerald Groves Assisted Living, surrounded by her family. Coralie was born October 21, 1943 in Gillette, Wyoming to Clarke Mills and Doris (McClure) Mills. She was raised on a ranch in southern Campbell County, Wyoming. After graduating from Campbell County High School, Coralie went to National American University in Rapid City, S.D. where she met the love of her life, Gerald Clary. They were married on March 3, 1962, in Rapid City. Gerald was in the Air Force, and they lived in Quincy, IL before moving back to Rapid City where she helped with his accounting business. She was very active with the Republican Women of South Dakota and helped host many important political events. One of her biggest passions, besides her precious friends, was cooking. She loved trying and sharing new recipes, and was an amazing cook. Coralie was a loving mother and grandmother. She was actively involved in the lives of her daughters, Andrea and Denise. During their school years, she was a favorite room mother. Her creative ideas would be the hit of the event. She was always ready to share the accomplishments of her four grandchildren. In every conversation it was very evident that she was proud of them. In the early 1990’s Coralie and Gerald began going “south” for the winter and after going back and forth for many years, they decided to make their permanent home in Mesa. They left many friends in South Dakota but made many new friends in the Las Palmas community. They also loved to travel. Their favorite place to visit was Maui, HI, for a total of 27 visits. Visiting various National Parks was also a highlight for Gerald & Coralie, with a favorite memory of nearly being run over by a herd of buffalo in their prized red TR-6 in Custer State Park. Coralie loved laughter and over the years when the family would gather together at the ranch, she would share many memories of growing up. Although she loved all her siblings dearly, she especially loved to reminisce about the stories of her middle brother, Bill. He seemed to have a way of discovering his sister’s “treasures” and finding interesting places to hide them. This always ended with tears of laughter around the table.
She is survived by her husband Gerald; two daughters, Andrea Jolene Clary of Mesa, and Denise Annette Bippus and husband Eric of Indiana; seven grandchildren; Austin Klima (Adrianna) of Alaska, Ellie Klima, Avery Klima, and Dylan Klima, (Reagan Bippus, Isabella Bippus, Olivia Bippus) of Indiana; one great grandson Atlas Cash Klima; four brothers, Larry Mills, Bill Mills, Jody Mills and Tom Mills all of Gillette, Wyoming; one sister, Betty Cox of West, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents Clarke and Doris Mills of Gillette, Wyoming.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Donations may be sent to Mountain View Funeral Home.
Coralie was a friend of mine through P.E.O. and being Denise’s Spanish teacher. A lovely soul, always willing to help. She will be missed.