In Remembrance Of Absent Friends (and Family)...
Born May 12, 1919
Passed away August 25, 2003
Clara was born in “new” Hopland (along what is now US 101) to Edna and Van Buren Harpe, both members of pioneering Hopland families. She was one of a family of ten children, attending elementary and high school in Hopland. She is survived by her husband, Harold Johnstone; her son, Lawrence Johnstone, stepchildren Harold Johnstone Jr. and Kathy Johnstone; sisters Marguerite Hetzel and Sarah Evelyn Howell, brothers Lawrence and Ernest Harpe, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Clara was a lifelong musician, both singing and playing piano, organ, accordion, trumpet and French horn. As a member of the Hopland High School band, she marched at the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. In 1943, she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve and became a member of the USMCWR Band, which is the only all-female band ever fielded by the Marine Corps. She was discharged shortly after the end of World War II, but retained numerous lifelong friendships from her service. She also traveled with the Hormel Girls entertainment caravan for a time.
Clara worked professionally as a secretary for many years, being employed by the Upjon Company in San Francisco both before and after her World War II service. She also worked for the Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools in Ukiah, Arrow Chevrolet in Fort Bragg, and the Susanville Consolidated Sanitary District.
She met her husband Harold Johnstone at a square dance in Boonville in 1962. They married a year later, and remained avid square dancers for many years – right up until her stroke in 2000 made it impossible for her to continue dancing. Clara was a member of both the Ukiah Promenaders and the Square Shooters square dance clubs in the 1960s, and remained a member of the Promenaders until her passing.
Since Harold worked for the State Division of Highways, Clara and Harold moved to several different places in Northern California: Fort Bragg, Dunsmuir, Susanville, and Quincy. When Harold retired in 1988, he and Clara returned to Mendocino County, and she lived her last fifteen years in Ukiah. She joined the American Legion as a member of Post 529 in Hopland, joining several of her brothers and sisters.
She will be long remembered by her relatives and friends for her sweet and gentle nature.
Born November 28, 1940
Passed away November 6, 2002
It was with great shock and sorrow that I returned home that Wednesday night and found the news that my good friend Nate Bliss had passed away that afternoon. Nate was a great square dance caller, internationally known and respected. His voice can be heard on literally dozens of square dance singing call recordings, on many different labels.
He honored me by being best man at my wedding in 2001, and has been an inspiration to me in learning to call. More than that, he helped rekindle the desire to learn to fly that I've had since I was a child, and encouraged me with stories of his days in the Air Force and as a private pilot flying to calling dates and other places.
The thing I remember most about him is his sense of humor -- he could find something to chuckle at in nearly anything.
His passing will leave a great void in the square dance activity in this area, and he will be sorely missed.
Born May 5, 1922
Passed away January 22, 2003
Phyllis was the round dance cuer for the Ukiah Promenaders for many years. I learned round dancing from her, and worked together with her on Thursday nights after I began calling for the Promenaders in 1994. She and her husband Lyle were the heart and soul of the Promenaders for most of that time, until her illness made it impossible for her to continue cueing. Her warmth and graciousness will be missed by us all.
