Barbara Clements

Barb Clements, age 79, of O'Neill, passed away Tuesday evening,  March 12, 2013,  at the Golden LivingCenter in O'Neill.

Visitation was held on Sunday, March 17, 2013, from 4-8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary, at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

A Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, March 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill with Rev. Francis Nigli officiating. Music was provided by organist, Marianne Psotta and soloist, Marvin Ziska.

Pallbearers were Mitch Clements, Ryan Plessel, Shane Dempsey, James McCarville, John McCarville and Kelse Clements.

Honorary pallbearers were Vivian Melena, Susan DeVoy, Marilyn Mattern and family, Ruth McCarville and family, Connie French Krotter and family and Delbert and Lois Rouse.

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of arrangements.

Barb was born on Dec. 12, 1933, in Las Vegas, NM, to Elauterio and Lucia (Lopez) Gurule. She lived in Las Vegas until the age of eight and then moved to Denver, CO, where she attended school at Mt. Carmel.

After high school Barb worked for J.C. Penney until meeting Robert Clements, Sr. They were married on May 17, 1953, in Denver, CO. Robert passed away on March 10, 1997.

After moving to O'Neill she worked for J.C. Penney for 20 plus years as head of the catalog department, retiring in 1997. In August of 1997 she went to work for  the O'Neill Public Library where she worked until she retired in 2010. 

Barb was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She loved to play bridge and was a member of many bridge clubs. She also enjoyed working at the library.

She was descended from a prominent pioneer family in New Mexico. Her maternal third great-grandparents were Miguel Romero and Josefa Delgado de Romero.  Miguel Romero ran wagon trains from Las Vegas, NM, to Independence, MO, on the Santa Fe Trail. He and his five sons were prominent merchants who established mercantile businesses in several southwestern cities. Two of his sons,  Margarita and Eugenio, were signatories to the New Mexico State Constitution in 1912. Barbara was descended from the oldest daughter, Aniceta Romero de Sena and Jesus Maria Sena, who were descended from a prominent family of blacksmiths who were among the settlers of Santa Fe, NM.

Barb is survived by her children: Debera Davis and husband Tim of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Robert Clements, Jr. of Seabrook, Texas, Michelle Clements of O'Neill and Richard Clements and wife Mari of Ashburn, VA; one son-in-law, Greg Reiser of Butte; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Evangeline Adams of Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Pamela Reiser and two brothers, Carlos and Frank Gurule.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.