Claribel Ruth (Smith) Ness was born April 19, 1912, at Madison, MN, to William and Clara (Sydow) Smith. She was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Evangelical Church in Madison. She attended and graduated from Madison Public High School in the class of 1931. She was united in marriage to William R. Ness on May 29, 1937, at Watertown, SD. They lived and farmed in Freeland Township and later moved to Providence Township. Into this marriage were born six children: Joyce, Doris, Gloria, Wayne, Lyle, and Roger.
She was a member of the 4-H Club and also a 4-H Club leader, Homemakers Club, and the Providence Valley Church Women.
She was a faithful wife, mother, neighbor, and friend. She enjoyed fishing, traveling, quilting, gardening, rug weaving, sewing, and spending time with her family and friends.
She resided at the Johnson Memorial Home in Dawson for 4 1/2 years until her death on May 31, 1998, at the age of 86 years, 1 month, and 12 days.
Claribel is survived by her husband, William Ness of rural Dawson; children: Joyce Brinkman of Burnsville, MN, Doris Lampert of Bowlus, MN, Gloria Gelle and husband, Marvin, of Cosmos, MN, Lyle Ness and wife, Suzanne, of Welch, MN, and Roger Ness of Bloomington, MN; 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; brother, William Smith and wife, Clarice, of Madison, MN; and other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her son, Wayne; parents; brothers: James Haueter and Lloyd Smith; and sister, Harriet Johnson.