Gwinn Clapp

Gwinn Clapp, 54, of Glendive, went to be with the Lord on Saturday morning, April 9, 2005, after a battle with cancer of nearly two years. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home. A private family Committal Service will be conducted at the Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. A Memorial Worship Service will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, April 14, 2005 with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive is entrusted with arrangements. Born February 6, 1951, at Fort Benton, Montana, Gwinn Allyn Dyrland was the third child of Clifford M. Dyrland and Jean (Hanford) Dyrland of Highwood. She attended schools through grade 12 at Highwood, graduating from Highwood High School in 1969. From her parents she learned perseverance and an appreciation of music, history, the arts, and language. All her life she appreciated her Norwegian and English/Scots-Irish heritage. She loved the landscape of the North Bench farming country north of Highwood, which she called "the center of the universe." At Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota in 1973 she earned a B.A. in English and a teaching certificate. The study and use of the English language was her abiding vocation. She taught high school English in Savage and then Circle, Montana, later becoming a reporter for the Ravalli Republic, in Hamilton, and ultimately the Great Falls Tribune, Great Falls. She certified in library services and worked for the Glendive Public Library after her marriage, where she found particular satisfaction in creating Story Times for young children. She studied medical terminology and became a home-based medical transcriptionist for several years. She took pleasure in lifelong study. Gwinn married Alan Dale Clapp, of Glendive, on March 17, 1990, in Fort Benton. They established their home in Glendive, with two children, Benjamin Arthur Clapp (born 1991) and Elizabeth Ann Clapp (born 1993). Gwinn counted herself happy to be at home. With her husband, she worshiped at Zion Lutheran Church, Glendive, where she belonged to the Elizabeth Circle study. She took pleasure in being a helping parent at Valley View School, a country school attended by her children, and she was involved for several years with steering Cub Scouts in Glendive. She was a member of the Hill and Dale Homemakers' Club. She enjoyed reading, baking, listening to classical music, choral singing, and flowers. She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford M. Dyrland, in 1986. She is survived by her husband, Alan, and children, Ben and Elizabeth, of Glendive; her mother, Jean Dyrland, Highwood, and parents-in-law, John and Ramona Clapp, Glendive; a sister, Janis Dyrland-Marquis, Hobson; brother, Howard and sister-in-law Kay Dyrland, of Big Sandy, and brother, David Dyrland, Highwood; and on her husband's side by Kirk and Gail Overby, Henderson, Nevada; Jason Clapp, Miles City; and Brian Clapp, Bozeman; as well as by nieces; Jessica and Rosanna Dyrland-Mecklenburg and Laura Dyrland; and nephews, Christopher and Sean Donnelly, and Matthew, William, Anthony, and Christopher Marquis. Gwinn was loved by many and will be greatly missed by, not only her immediate family, but by all of her extended family, including her many dear cousins, and her numerous friends and acquaintances. Gwinn's favorite greeting was "The top of the day to you!." Dear Gwinn, we send back this greeting to you and we know and are comforted by the fact that your new days with the Lord are most joyful and glorious. We will look forward to seeing you again in heaven some fine day! If desired, memorials may be sent to Zion Lutheran Church, 401 Riverview, Glendive, designated for the Loaves and Fishes Fund or Radio Fund; The Lutheran Center, PO Box 825, Billings, Montana, a Christian ministry of overnight accommodations for medical stays in Billings; or the Glendive Medical Center Hospice Program, 202 Prospect Drive, Glendive, MT 59330.

Gwinn Clapp

February 6, 1951 - April 14, 2005

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Gwinn Clapp

February 6, 1951 - April 14, 2005

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support