Clarine Bernice Graham Stovall
Clarine Bernice Graham Stovall passed away on July 4, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Home, where she resided for the last three years. Clarine just celebrated her 74thbirthday on June 22. She was born in Billings, to the delight of her parents George and Cora (Davis) Graham, and was the big sister to her two brothers, George and Steve. The family enjoyed life living in the Fishtail and Red Lodge areas. Dickie as she was nicknamed by her Grandpa spent entire summers with cousins, aunts, uncles, and Grandparents, in the Beartooth Mountains. It was said the kids would go to the mountains outfitted with a new pair of boots and Levis, to return barefoot wearing cutoff shorts. The local game wardens knew the kids by name, and the moose had to tree them to reclaim the peaceful wilderness. Clarine would often claim she had the best childhood and parents one could imagine. Growing up wild in the Beartooth Mountains, with her cousins and brothers, was one of the highlights of her life.
Clarine attended high school in Red Lodge, where she met and married Bobby Stovall. Together they had three children, but were later divorced. As a single mother, Clarine raised her three children, with the help of her parents. She worked at the Billings Livestock Commission Company, where she would take her kids to run free in the alleyways of the stockyards, and Hank Weisa’s shoeing shack. She held her own on horseback in a field among men, earning their respect. Clarine taught her children to be self-sufficient, strong and independent, to find joy in the simple things of life, and to treasure one another. She lived a colorful and adventure filled western life, with the help of Sonja, Zona, Judy and many other friends/outlaws. There will be stories shared at her celebration of life that could fill a book, or six. Clarine was completed when the love of her life, Hi Whitlock bronc stomped into her path. She met her match, and lived a life she always dreamt of, cowboying and raising horses. Clarine and Hi worked on Benny Binion’s Montana ranch, on to Arizona, Texas, and back to Winnett, making memories and many friends along the way.
After Hi’s passing in 1989 she didn’t stop her cowboy life. She purchased a ranch at Laurel, where she raised horses, sheep, and enough cows to make her respectable. Ranch life included standing her stud Shooter, haying, teaching her grandsons to curse, while irrigating, cleaning ditches, and spoiling her granddaughters. Clarine’s life took another turn when she happily accepted the role of mother once again, by taking her youngest nephew Steven as her own. She sold the Laurel ranch and moved to Shepherd, where she continued raising horses, Steven, enjoying grandkids and that damn, dam irrigating.
Clarine decided to trade in her ranch tools and went back to school, opening the Hair and Nail Junction, with her friend Laura Houser. When a brain tumor prevented her from continuing her business she retired. Her remaining years were touched by heartache, with the passing of her beloved son, Clint. A few short years later she moved into St. John’s Nursing Home, where she resided until her passing. She loved her St. John’s family, who treated her with loving care, and the utmost respect.
Clarine is proceeded in death by her parents, George and Cora Graham, brother and sister in law, Steve and Sandi Graham, Hi Whitlock, son, Clint Stovall, and other much loved family members. She is survived by her brother George (Sandy) Graham, daughters, Laurie Noonkester and Christine Stovall (Jermunson), son/nephew Steven Graham. Nene to Eleven Grandchildren, Colter (Nadezda), Tucker (Katie) and Travis (Jen) Noonkester, Mikhael (Nick) Selle, Jordynn (Austin) Cossitt, Clint Jr., Seth and Zane Stovall, Nate and Gracie Jermunson and Sidney Bernice Graham. Thirteen (+1) Great Grand Children Valentine, Keegan, Kayden, Everett, Audrey, Sophia, Kash, Kora, Addie, Harper, JayLei, Kannyn, Brody and one more to come. Son and daughter in laws whom she loved, Grant Noonkester, Sheila Stovall, Bobby Pecora, Christopher Jermunson. Sister of her heart and partner in many crimes, Sonja (Lee) Gustin, and their children. Her most beloved nephews, nieces and cousins.
She aimed to misbehave…Annie Oakley.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11:00 in the Chapel of the Heights Family Funeral Home, Wicks Lane. In lieu of flowers consider planting a tree in her honor. To leave condolences for the family please visit www.heightsfamilyfuneralhome.com.
