Claire Ann Courneya

Claire Ann Courneya, age 91, passed away, surrounded by family, on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Claire Ann Donahue was born on October 26, 1931, in Minot ND, to Francis and Loretta (Mahoney) Donahue. She attended school at St. Leo’s Catholic school in Minot and upon graduating, went on to receive her Registered Nursing degree at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Minot.

With certification as a Registered Nurse, she boarded a train bound for California to seek her fortune and begin her career. While working as an RN in San Diego, she met Terry Courneya through a Catholic young adult group. After winning him over with her charm, fried Chicken and Apple pie, they were united in Marriage on October 19, 1957.

The newlyweds made their home in Gainesville Florida where Claire continued her nursing career. Later, they moved to Carbondale Illinois, then to Stillwater, Minnesota before settling in Thief River Falls to raise their family.  Claire put her career on hold for 20 years while she worked tirelessly to raise nine children and manage a busy household. Later, she returned to nursing and worked until retirement both in Minnesota and in Florida where they moved to in 1985, to finish their careers and build their retirement home. They retained their Cabin on Lake 7 near Frazee, where they would spend their summers in retirement.

Claire was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She had a passion for helping the poor and disadvantaged and volunteered countless hours at her church in that calling, while also using her nursing skills to care for elderly neighbors. She was a devout Catholic her entire life and shared this devotion with her children and grandchildren. She was a marvelous cook and baker and loved to do dishes because it warmed her up. She had a passion for feeding and watching birds, especially hummingbirds, and was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage. Never forgetting a birthday, she was “the grandma with the $20 bills”.

Claire is survived by her Children Mary Kay (Carl) Sutton; Louis “Joe” (Cindy); James (Jayne); Douglas (Janice); Mary (Michael) Graham; Kevin; Joni Knight; Debbi; Gary; and Bonni (Brian) Beutner; 26 Grandchildren, and 15 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Terry; her parents, Frank and Loretta; her brothers: Thomas, Donald, Patrick, Clarence, James and Joseph; her sisters: Ellen and Mary; and a grandson, Jeffery Sutton.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Mary's Mission school, Red Lake, MN, C/O Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 202 West Maple Ave., Frazee, MN 56544.

Visitation: 5PM – 7PM, Thursday, October 5, 2023 at David-Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes.

Prayer Service: 7PM, Thursday, October 5, 2023 at David-Donehower Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10AM, Friday, October 6, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Frazee, with Father Hamness to officiate.

Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Frazee.

Arrangements are in the care of Furey Funeral Home