Claire M. Dalton passed away on October 23, 2024. Claire was born on September 12,1934 in Cedar City, Utah to Vern Carson Mortensen and Metta Bastian Mortensen. She was their first child and was later joined by Ralph, Clifford, Marie and Linda.
She spent her childhood in the small town of Parowan, Utah roaming the hills and valleys. She was never happier than when she was riding horses or tending sheep. Until possibly, when she discovered reading. This joy of reading lasted a lifetime; she read literally thousands of books.
She said “I really never did ‘meet’ the man I married. We were the same age and in a small town like Parowan everyone knew everyone else. I really don’t remember not knowing Fred”. Claire eloped with Fred Dalley Dalton to Pioche, Nevada to be married, September 1, 1950. They did not tell their parents for about 6 weeks. They spent the majority of their lives in Parowan, except for 12 years in Washington, Utah that spanned the children’s teenage years and a couple of years in Cedar City, Utah prior to returning to Parowan. She loved Parowan and was very proud of her hometown, and of her and Fred’s ancestors who settled there.
Claire held a number of different jobs, telephone operator, working alongside Fred in title and escrow, banking business and lastly, for Iron County as the Chief Deputy Auditor, retiring in 2000. She and Fred enjoyed many hobbies together over their 64 years of marriage, including riding horses, flitting around in their airplane, riding cross-country on their motorcycle, boating on Lake Powell and camping in their fifth wheel. She served willingly in many church positions. She was active in many community organizations, but her most enjoyable service was with the Parowan City Library Board.
Mom would often say she had eight children, the four she gave birth to and the four that her children were smart enough to bring home. Michael F. (Beverly) of Washington, Utah; Russell M. (Connie) of Henderson, Nevada; Bartlett C. (Patricia) both deceased, Cara Lee (Bruce) Dickman of St Augustine, Florida. She is survived by her three children and three bonus children, 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Ralph C. (Jeanne) Mortensen and sister-in-law, Rose Mortensen, widow of Cliff.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, her son, Bart, and his wife, Patricia, an infant grandson and two infant great-granddaughters, as well as her siblings, Clifford A. Mortensen, Metta Marie Wanosik and Linda Pronk.
There will be a Graveside service at the Parowan City Cemetery on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM, under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences may be left at www.mortuary.org. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Parowan City Library through @Parowan-Strong.