Clarice Irene Fager

Clarice Irene Thompson Fager of Worthington, Minnesota and Sun City West, Arizona, passed away on Thursday, June 23rd, 2016 surrounded by her family at the Lutheran Collier Hospice in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. She was born to Tilmer and Josephine Prescott Thompson in Elmore, Minnesota on August 18th 1925.
After graduating High School, she completed Business School in Minneapolis and was hired immediately at the Star Tribune as the Executive Administrator for the Director of Human Resources. Clarice was married on October 18th 1947 to Dr. Frank Karl Fager who was serving as a US Army Captain stationed in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Clarice and Frank moved to Worthington, Minnesota in 1949 and together set up a dental practice. Lake Okabena, the Country Club and serendipity attracted the couple to the community. Soon thereafter they started their family, raising two daughters and a son. Clarice valued her faith.
She was a 62-year member of Westminster Presbyterian Church Worthington and a 17-year member of Dessert Palms Presbyterian Church Sun City West. She was an Elder, served on many committees, was active in Presbyterian Women's Circle and taught Sunday school for many years. She was a member of PEO, Eastern Star and The League of Women Voters and was a dedicated bridge player, golfer and dancer. She loved learning, taking almost every class offered at the Worthington Community Jr. College for credit and was elected to Who's Who Among Students of American Jr. Colleges in 1976. She was a devoted homemaker, but once her children graduated High School, she became a Para-Legal for the Southern Minnesota Legal Services specializing in Social Security Disability law. One day she was enjoying a Chinese lunch after a difficult court hearing in Marshall, Minnesota, when the presiding judge of the case approached her and said, "Mrs. Fager I believe I have received your fortune in my cookie by mistake." The fortune read, YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN ALL THINGS YOU CHOOSE TO PURSUE. This story is emblematic as Clarice did her best whether playing a hand of cards, competing in her golf league or trying to win a case for her client. Her curious mind, dedication to excellence and her genuine interest in everyone served her well in all her endeavors.
In 1989 Clarice and her husband became "Snowbirds." Wintering in Sun City West reconnected the couple with longstanding friends from Minnesota and Montana and gave them opportunity to make many, wonderful new friends.
Those left to cherish her memories are her two daughters, Elizabeth and husband Dr. James Barron of Denver, CO; Cynthia Fager and husband, Charles Block of Baltimore, MD; and her son, Dr. Frank Fager of Cave Creek, AZ, along with four grandchildren: Dr. Jessica Barron-Essary and husband Dr. Brendan Essary of Denver, CO; Jeremy Barron of Boston, MA; Zachary Fager of Golden, CO; Erik and wife Alicia Fager of Houston, TX and three great-grandchildren Quincy, Cora and Calvin whom she loved dearly. Her husband Frank preceded Clarice in death on April 20th 2005. JoAnn Baker of Madison, WI (her youngest sister) is the surviving sibling of seven from Clarice's nuclear family.
A private memorial service will be held celebrating her life. The ashes of Clarice and Frank Fager will be buried at Riverview Cemetery in Elmore, Minnesota. Blessed be her memory…    
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