Clarice Fern McDermand

Clarice Fern McDermand, 80, of North Platte, died Sept. 4, 2009, at Great Plains Medical Center.
She was born March 11, 1929, at Columbus to Emerson C. and Fern Elizabeth Foreman Droullard.
Her family lived in Columbus, then Grand Island, where she graduated from High School in 1947. She enrolled at Doane College in September 1948 to major in Organ Performance. In the summer of 1949 following her first year of study, she contracted a serious case of polio and was unable to continue her college career.
On June 4, 1950, she was united in marriage with John W. "Jack" McDermand of Crete, who she had met at Doane. They began married life in Lincoln, then in Bridgeport, before moving to North Platte in early 1954.
Clarice was not officially employed, but one wouldn't want to have mentioned that to her. She gave piano lessons to 45 students weekly at all levels from 1966 to 1990. Several years later her grandsons wanted her to give them lessons. Thinking that wouldn't last long, they became the best students she'd ever have. Now both boys play the piano well, are pleased to accompany fellow students, or individuals soloing for church services. One of Sam's majors is Piano Performance.
She was church organist at the Episcopal Church in North Platte in the late '50s and early '60s. Presently she had finished several years as the piano accompanist at the Presbyterian Church and over the years had subbed there as organist and occasionally at other North Platte churches. She was also a part of Festival Bells, a handbell choir, and the Presbyterian Church handbell choir.
Clarice was a member of PEO Sisterhood Chapter EB for most of her time in North Platte. She generally served as an officer, twice as Chapter president. When the McDermands moved to North Platte, she quickly joined Monday Musicale and remained a member, filling officer posts when needed.
Over the years she established a popular summertime pastime for friends and acquaintances, offering her swimming pool once a week for a place for conversation and exercise. Rules: NO CAMERAS, NO MEN!
Clarice loved to laugh and brought joy to so many people. She was a wonderful wife, the 'best ever' mom, and the most loving and caring grandmother that Nick and Sam could ever ask for. She will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her husband, Jack; a daughter, Leigh (Chuck) Henline and twin grandsons, Nicholas Andrew Henline and Samuel Charles Henline, who are seniors at Hastings College, and at Doane College, respectively. She is also survived by two sister-in-laws, Anita McDermand of Ohio and Mary Newcomer of Lincoln; nieces, Evie Settles, Margaret Ann Blankenship, Mary Jane Butler, Jeannie Droullard, Barb Jaeger and nephew Fred Newcomer.
She was preceded in death by a son, Andy, in 1975; two sisters, Rosanna and Betty; brother, Fred, as well as her parents.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Amy Jo Hawley officiating. Private family inurnment will be at a later time at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Register book signing will be today from noon to 6 p.m. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Clarice requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials were to be directed to the First Presbyterian Church Scholarship Program. Online Condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.