Clara A Wilbanks

Clara A. Wilbanks 72 of Salina passed away Sunday July 21, 2024, at the Salina Regional Health Center. Clara was born March 7, 1952, in Denver Colorado to Clarence and Anna (Sack) Herrman.
Growing up in Denver but on the weekends, would go out to the family farm in Brighton, Colorado. Where she would help with the bringing in of the Milk Cows. She attended schools in Denver and graduating from Manual High School in 1970. Meeting at a young age the love of her life, Ralph Wilbanks. After graduating high school Clara attended Beauty School and working in a floral shop. Ralph and Clara were married on April 22, 1972. They had one daughter the following year. They moved from Thorton, Colorado out to Brighton Colorado where they enjoyed spending time with their horses and animals. Clara enjoyed driving and riding her horses until she became ill. She worked in many places, but retired from a long career in Adams County government as a telecommunications specialist overseeing a large phone line and greeting people as they came in.
Clara and Ralph where also members of the Adams County Fair and Rodeo Committee where they were involved in the parades, rodeos and anywhere they were needed. Clara was also a 20 plus year 4-H leader for Adams County. She enjoyed helping kids learn how to ride and show their horses. Ralph and Clara were involved in the fair queens as well when their daughter got involved in 1989 and then as queen in 1991. She was a long-time member of the American Quarter Horse Association and a life member of the American Paint Horse Association. After Clara stopped riding, she would go with her daughter to the Rodeos as she competed on her horses. Having a couple qualifiers in the Breakaway Roping and the most recently the Select Barrel Racing. Mrs. Wilbanks was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and Eucharistic Minister.
In 2023 moving to Abilene Kansas and finally to Salina, Kansas. To be with her daughter and her husband.
Clara was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Ralph. Many Uncles and Aunts. Clara is survived by her daughter Colette Stoudt her husband Jim Stoudt of Abilene, her sisters Mary Renke of Brighton CO, Patty Ducey-Brooks of San Diego, CA, and Kathy Meier (Ken Meier of Fort Collins, CO as well as two step grandchildren.
The family has selected cremation and services will be in Colorado at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to any Catholic Charity, the American Quarter Horse Foundation, American Heart Association or Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Salina, Kansas.