Electa "Lee" Kraus Claflin Palmer

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Electa "Lee" Kraus Claflin Palmer passed away on Dec. 13, 2005, at Barone Care Center, after a lengthy illness. She was born Dec. 15, 1914, in Jefferson, Okla., to Roy Hamilton Kraus and Elnora Belle Haws Kraus.

Lee graduated from Jefferson High School in 1932, and attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University for two years. She married Charlie Clark Claflin on Nov. 2, 1935, at the Grant County Courthouse in Medford, Okla. They built a home, country store, and garage south of Wakita, Okla., and called it Sandy Corner. They purchased eggs, chickens, cream, sold groceries and provided mechanical work for the community. In 1948, they purchased 1,720 acres southwest of Bronaugh, Mo. In 1952, they sold this land, now called Bushwacker Wildlife area, and moved south of Bronaugh. Charlie died on May 12, 1974. Lee continued to live on the farm and operated a plaster craft shop.

Lee married Randolph Palmer in May 1984, and moved to Nevada. He died in July 1991. Lee was a member of the Methodist Church and an avid bridge player. She had rental property until failing health necessitated her retirement.

She is survived by one sister, Laura Virginia Couchman and husband, Virgil, of Pond Creek, Okla.; three sons, Tom Charles and wife, Janie, Sheldon, Harry Leroy and wife, Mary, Bronaugh, and Dick Allen Claflin and wife, Brenda, Nixa, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Charles and Kathy Claflin, Sheldon, Randee Kaiser, Carthage, Mo., John Claflin, Wentworth, Mo., Charlotte Washburn, Columbia, Mo., Cheryl Cox and Stacy Poe, Bronaugh; 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Lee was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers, George Mason, Thomas Edward, and Luther Franklin Kraus.

Visitation will be held at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, Nevada, on Friday, Dec. 16, from 9:30-10:30 a.m., with graveside services to follow at 11 a.m., at Sheldon Cemetery with John Nichols officiating. Pallbearers will be Charles Claflin, Justin Hancock, John Claflin, Randee Kaiser, Cody Claflin, and Craig Washburn. Arrangements are under the direction of Evergreen Memorial Chapel.