Stevensville – Elaine Clinger McPherson passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 10, 2017. She was born on May 15, 1931, the oldest daughter of James Henry and Thelma Delilah Clinger. She was raised in LaBelle, Idaho surrounded by many loved ones. As the oldest of 5 children, Elaine was her Daddy’s little princess as a little sister didn’t join the family until Elaine was nearing high school graduation.
Elaine met Kenneth LaMont McPherson during her Junior year of high school. Her future mother-in-law snuck a love note, which read, “With all my love – Kenneth,” into a gift he gave her at a party she hosted. They married a little more than a year later on July 20, 1949, in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple. Their honeymoon was marked by a crop failure due to an early freeze. This proved to be a foretelling of their lives in agriculture. Elaine’s life was a life of hard work and sacrifice. 65 years ago Kenneth and Elaine moved to Stevensville, MT where they made their lives and raised their family. She was no stranger to a milk barn, a tractor, or the end of a hoe. Elaine considered the greatest blessings of her life to be her 7 children and their families. She raised 3 sons and 4 daughters. All of them consider one of the greatest blessings of their lives to be the incredible mother they had to raise them. They each learned valuable life lessons as they worked side-by-side with her not only in their formative years, but even as adults.
To each of Elaine’s 28 Grandchildren and 37 Great Grandchildren, ‘Grandma at the Farm’ signified love, kindness, scarves to cover ears, chocolates at Christmastime and work disguised as fun. Not to mention sugar cookies at Halloween and Valentine’s Day. Words like Ninny, Sugar Beans, Whatever and Fiddlesticks have special meaning to them all.
Elaine possessed a deep faith in her Savior Jesus Christ. Her life was a living example of what it means to follow the Savior. Most anyone that knew her received service from her. There wasn’t anything she had that she would not give to someone who needed it. Other than occasional impatience with someone who was acting like a Ninny, she was an incredibly patient person. The bread used for the Sacrament in the Stevensville 1st Ward was baked by Elaine for the past 11 years. She considered it a sacred honor to provide it and made sure that the very best loaf was given. So it was in her life, the very best was given and we have all been blessed by it.
Elaine was preceded in passing by her husband of 59 years, Kenneth, her parents, James and Thelma Clinger, and her brother Cody Clinger. She is survived by her 7 children, Hans (Suzanne) – Corvallis, MT, Peter (Tina) – Stevensville, MT, Chris (Debby) – Dothan, AL, Anne (Darrell Page) – Syracuse, UT, Margret (Mike Bartholomew) – Herriman, UT, Jane (Barry Vance) – Kaysville, UT, Jeanie (Owen Robbins) – Stevensville, MT. 28 Grandchildren and 37 Great Grandchildren (one more on the way). She is also survived by her brothers Stanley, Doug and sister Marie and their families.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16th at the Stevensville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at the corner of Main Street and Middle Burnt Fork Road with Bishop Robb Horlacher conducting. A viewing will be held starting at 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 with the service beginning immediately thereafter. Interment and Dedication of the Grave will take place at the Victor Cemetery immediately following the service. All are invited to attend a luncheon back at the Church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You can learn more by speaking to any family member or reaching out to any of your LDS friends or neighbors or go to https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services . Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.