Marjorie “Mickey” Lee Clare, 101, passed away in the Rio Grande Hospital on Thursday, March 1, 2018. She was the first of three children. She attended Saguache Consolidated Schools. She was chosen Miss Ski Hi Stampede in 1935. Mickey attended and graduated from Colorado Women’s College in Denver. She went to Detroit, Michigan to work for the Michigan State Welfare office in Lansing, coming back to the valley after three years.

Mickey married Robert “Rusty” Clare who was also born and raised in Saguache. Rusty was attending Colorado School of Mines. They lived in Denver for several years and then returned to the San Luis Valley. They had four children and lived at the intersection of Swede Lane and Stoeber Lane near Monte Vista. They had a small farm and country grocery store, Rusty’s Mercantile.

After her husband’s death Mickey continued to run the country grocery store for four more years. She then worked at a flower shop in Monte Vista, the Monte Vista Credit Bureau and Burn’s Pharmacy. She retired at the age of 72. She continued living in her home until the age of 97, when she moved to the Legacy in Monte Vista.

Mickey was a very community oriented woman. She was active in many local organizations and groups such as the United Methodist Church in Monte Vista, as well as Eastern Star. She loved working with kids and found years of joy in helping with 4-H and the Cub Scouts. When Mickey wasn’t serving her community, you would most likely find her in the yard gardening her flower beds and enjoying the sun and warm weather. She liked going to the family cabin, hunting and ice skating with her children.

Mickey lived a long and fulfilling life full of stories and adventures. There’s not a way to truly tell everything such an amazing woman did in her 101 years here on earth, but her loving children and grandchildren honor her each day by living up to her examples and teachings. She greatly loved her family and will be missed by them for years to come.

Mickey is survived by her children; Jim (Cynthia) Clare of Monte Vista, Colorado, Jerry Clare of Monte Vista, Colorado, and d’Anna Lee (Larry) Mayfield of Penrose, Colorado. Her grandchildren; Scott Mayfield, and Lisa (Patrick) Connor. As well as numerous extended family members and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Liall Clare. Her Parents; Luther and Bessie Gross. Her son, Robert “Scrapper” Luther Clare. And two brothers; Harold Gross and Jack “Jacky Boy” Gross.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2017 from 5:00P.M. to 7:00P.M. at Rogers Family Mortuary in Monte Vista. A funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Monte Vista on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 1:00P.M. Interment will follow services at the Hillside Cemetery in Saguache, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to be made in Mickey’s honor to the Monte Vista Fire Department, the Monte Vista Ambulance, or the United Methodist church in Monte Vista.

Rogers Family Mortuary of Monte Vista is in care of arrangements. If you would like to leave an online comment or tribute for the family please visit Mickey’s obituary at www.RogersFunerals.com