Claira Margaret (Fahrenbruck) Bromley

Claira Margaret Fahrenbruck Holmes Bromley

Claira Margaret Bromley, aged 75, passed away at her home in Florence, Montana on July 12, 2016, with her loved ones around her.  She died of natural causes.
Claira was born in Forsyth, Montana on September 19, 1940 to Henry and Sophia Fahrenbruck.  She spent her younger years in the Hammond Valley with her many brothers and sisters.  She loved living in the valley and would tell stories about the beautiful flowers her mother grew, and the advantages of having many siblings; they had enough kids to form their own baseball team anytime they wanted!

Claira attended school in Forsyth, MT until 1955 when her family moved to the Cartersville area near Rosebud MT.  She then attended and graduated from Rosebud High School.  She was well liked in both Forsyth and Rosebud, and for the rest of her life was invited to attend class reunions from both schools.While living in Rosebud, Claira met Ernest Holmes.  They dated, he proposed, and they were married in a winter ceremony on December 27, 1959.  They took up ranching in the Thurlow area, and along with numerous cats, dogs, chickens and bum calves they raised 3 children:  Debbie, Mark, and Sheri.  She was an exceptional cook and it was not uncommon for visitors to show up right before “supper time” knowing they could count on good manners for a place at the table and good food once they were seated.  Of course, morning coffee was just about as popular, as she always had fresh, baked from scratch pastries and pies to serve up with the coffee.  If word got out that she had baked cinnamon rolls, there would barely be standing room in the kitchen, as she was especially known for her “melt in your mouth dough and buttery caramel topping”.
Ernest and Claira had moved from the farm and built their dream home in Forsyth overlooking the Yellowstone River.  She enjoyed and excelled at creating beautiful homes and this one was no exception.  It was her pride and joy, finally proving to the family she had not ripped pages from decorating magazines for 15 years for nothing!

Later, when all the kids were safely in school, Claira accepted a job a Bogg’s Chevrolet as a bookkeeper.  She worked there several years, before accepting a job with Range Telephone, a job she loved. She worked at Range Telephone for several years.

Claira married her high school friend, Ron Bromley on July 2, 1983.  They had 32 happy years together, moving to the beautiful Bitterroot Valley and building (another) truly beautiful home. Claira was overjoyed to be near her grandchildren as they grew, and going to their various school and sports events was an activity she enjoyed immensely.  Family was always very important to Claira, and she, along with her brother David, hosted several family reunions.  The count at the last one was over 300 people, and she kept in touch with almost every one on them, in one way or another!

If Claira herself could write this small history, this is what she would say: “To my beloved family and friends, Words cannot convey the joy you provided me when you shared your life with mine.  I will never be able to tell you all how much you meant to me, and I hope that you carry me with you, in your hearts, with love.  Take care of each other, forgive each other, and love each other….because that is all that matters.”

Claira is survived by her children:  daughters Debbie Rice and Sheri (Rod) Stroppel, Jacki (Justin) Smith, Brenda (Matt) Marden, and son Mark (Patti) Holmes;  grandchildren include Anthony and Brent Stroppel, Sean and Jackson Rice, RJ Woelich, Niki Harstad, Chauncie Rowan, and Talia Buck as well as her siblings Esther (Maurice) Coldiron, Carl (Jean) Fahrenbruck, and David (Cathy) Fahrenbruck.

Claira was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Bromley, parents, Henry and Sophia, brothers Henry and George Fahrenbruck, sisters Lydia Kuil, Freida Rangel, Henerietta Rangel, and Rose Cranford.

Services will be held at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Forsyth, Montana, with assistance from Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton, Montana.  The service will be held on July 22, 2016 at 1:00 pm, with internment and reception to follow.