Claire and Dick's house was always a good spot to visit when growing up.  They were both patient and tolerant of teenagers, we raised a bit of racket in the basement, and all we ever got out of Claire was request to turn it down.

There was always something to eat and pleasant conversation.  Claire was more than willing to mend or sew something, and Dick was willing to talk you through re-building carburators.

As they got older, none of that changed, they were still the same kind helpful people they always were.  Claire and Dick had a good life together, they raised two good boys, who were good to them to the end.

What more could could two people ask for?

Mrs. Revell was always a 2nd Mother to me while growing up in Minneapolis. I spent so much time over at Ken's house getting into Mischief, looking back now I am grateful for her soft but firm approach to keeping me in line...she'll be missed

It was my great delight to visit with Claire both at home and at Viewpointe. She loved to reminisce about Minnesota, all the good times and special memories. It was so touching as well to see the incredible bond between Claire and Dick, even when her memory failed her. God blessed them both, and they were certainly a blessing in return.

This is from rambling man Edward Ford, a frequent visitor to Colorado Springs to the house of Ken and Crystal, and points westward. I remember dropping by Claire and Dick's place next door when visiting, and always being welcomed very warmly there. I remember how nice I thought it was having folks next door. Being able to stop in and visit, checking on activities and helping out in the house, etc. You could really appreciate the closeness of the Revell family and extended family. I've been able to help out with my elderly parents monthly and it's truly a reflection of God's love for his earthly children, when kids take an active role in their parents day to day life. God bless all the family and Claire and Dick rest well in the warm embrace of God's love.

Thanks to everyone for the nice thoughts and comments about my mother. we really appreciate the sentiments.

Claire was such a wonderful aunt to me.  I remember the doll clothes she made for dolls that Laurie and I received from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas one year - even wedding dresses made from scraps of her own wedding dress. Such love and care she showed to both of us.  I still have the doll and clothes. Because Rick felt left out, later she made clothes for a boy doll for him as well.  I remember her sending a care package of Christmas cookies and tasty treats every year to Jim, Clark, and me.  Many of the recipes I have now and make for us to enjoy around the holidays.  Our favorite though is a layered salad that we call Claire Salad as she is the one who showed us how to make it.  It is a staple in the summer.  Claire was always so kind and thoughtful to include us in family events - we even have some of Grandma and Grandpa's things - what was left of the Sunday dishes, some bowls, some embroidered linens, and one old trunk.  The genealogy that she prepared is outstanding.  We were always welcome to visit and stop over on our way to vacation in Canada and she called regularly to check up on how we were doing.  Her warmth and kindness will be missed by all of us.  She was a very special person, and she and Dick were a very special couple.  There is a large hole in the universe now where they used to be.  I am thankful that we all have such fond memories to help fill some of that hole.

Claire was a wonderful sister in law. She was a great cook, baked up a storm & wonderful seamstress. Any thing she did was done well. She tried to teach me how to make scrubbies. I did fine while she was sitting next to me showing me what to do but the minute I was on my own I couldn't do it.
She kept me supplied! I have so many wonderful memories of things we have done together. Non will be forgotten! I will miss you Claire but know you are in a better place. You & Dick are together!

Mom, I think of you every day and I wish you were still here.  I miss your kindness, wisdom, cooking and your motherly guidance you shared with me.  I am not ready to be without you and dad.  I wish you and dad were still living in the house you bought in Colorado.  It was wonderful having you live in the same cul-de-sac as Crystal and me.  I was able to see you every day and you and dad were able to see your grandkids Candice and Alex and your great-grandson, Kai grow older.  You and dad were both great parents and I still use the tools I learned from you in the raising of my own family.  The happiness and quality of life you gave me when I was growing up is what I use as my measuring stick for the parenting of my family.  I was always impressed by the deep connection you and dad had for each other and your group of lifelong friends you had. Mom, I am glad you saved all the family photos you and dad took over the years and I am very happy for the effort and quality of work in did in researching our family genealogy.  Mom, I miss the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners we had with family.  I miss your baking of Swedish deserts. I have all your recipes so I will continue the tradition.  I miss going to Mound Lake with you and dad.  I miss going to visiting you two in Florida at your winter condo. I miss going the Gopher football games together and Guthrie Theater performances.  I miss going to your home and hanging out and helping you and dad around the house.  Life is too short and it is so empty now that you and dad are not with us anymore.  I am happy you are with dad in heaven and that brings peace and joy to my sadness.  I will always keep you in my memories and I hope I was a good son to you and I will strive to make you proud of me as I continue on with life being a husband, father, and grandfather. Thank you for everything you taught me and shared with me. You and dad did a great job as parents and as role models, and I know you two are happy again being together and in the arms of Jesus.  Love and miss you, your son.

Claire and I (Carroll Peterson is writing) were born just over a year apart, I in late December of 1929, she in early January of 1931.  Our mothers were sisters, so Claire and I were first cousins, and we saw a great deal of each other.  I lived in the country; she lived in Minneapolis, 50 miles away, so we were not exactly steady playmates, but when the family got together, we were close--although I have to say that being the country boy,  I loved to play tricks on my city cousin.  

As we grew into adulthood, we were both occupied with careers and raising families, and we lived far apart--I and my wife and family in Durango, Colorado, and Claire, Dick and kids in Minneapolis and Minnetonka.  But when Claire and Dick moved to Colorado to be near Ken, we reestablished our connection.  We had such good times visiting together, and whenever we ate with them (which was every time we saw them), we came away stuffed with Claire's wonderful cooking and a handful of her favorite recipes.  Wow!  She was a cooking genius.

Not only was she a great cook, but she was an outstanding geneologist.  She researched and assembled an exhaustive two-volume history of our family (our mothers were Valleens) which is still the standard reference book for all of us Valleen cousins and our children.  She and Dick traveled to Sweden to find out about our ancestors there, and they went all over Minnesota to trace the descendants of those immigrants.  She did the family history like she did everything--organized, functional, exactly right.  

We, my wife Maxine and I, will miss Claire so much.  We have such pleasant memories of visiting Claire and Dick and sharing experiences we had growing up in the 30's and 40's, living through the often chaotic 50's and 60's, and finding the sense of peace and accomplishment we discovered as we had children and grandchildren, on into the 21st century.

We can only hope that we can leave a mark on the world as rich life-enhancing, and family-centered as Claire did.

Carroll and Maxine Peterson
622 E 3rd Ave
Durango, CO 81301

As I woke up this beautiful November morning and I looked outside and saw the blue skies and the sun was shining,I remembered Claire-my mother-in-law. She wrote many times in her journal, "The sky is blue and the sun is shining.  I love it!!"
Her kindness was genuine and her love was even more, especially for her family.  Her love was deep for my father-in-law, Richard.  She loved her boys, Robert and Ken. I had the blessing of receiving her kindness and love. She always told me and everyone else how we had the same initials (C.R.) She was so proud of that. Her respect for life reflected through to everyone.  It was such a joy to be part of her life, especially over the last 3 years. I had the honor of being able to care for her and in the process learned so much from her.   Claire had such an impact on me. We did so many things together, she helped me sew my skirt to my wedding outfit, we cooked, we read the funnies, told jokes, only her and I could laugh at. We were both Democrats and enjoyed giving Ken and Dad a hard time about being Republican.  We had so much fun!!!
My words can't say enough of what a wonderful person she was. Claire may be gone from this physical world but I have the joy of knowing that she is in Heaven with our Lord and she is with my father-in-law. I have a void in my life now and I miss her terribly but her memories live on through us. Thank you for being such a blessing to me. Your daughter-in-law.

Dear Family of Claire:  It was such a blessing to know both Claire and Richard.  I am so sorry for your loss, but rejoice that you will be united with them again one day.
(No mosquitoes in heaven!)  Joyce Clothier

Claire was such a wonderful lady. I loved visiting with her! I am a blessed person to have known her! God Bless her family. Toni Lemley

It was an honor to have known Claire.  Though our hearts are saddened at losing her, we rejoice in knowing that she is no longer suffering, nor is limited by a body that was no longer functioning well.  Instead, she is in the very presence of Jesus surrounded by beauty we cannot fathom and joy unspeakable.

What a beautiful slide show honoring an equally beautiful woman and family.  It was such an honor to have been a small part in their journey.  Their love was truly inspirational.  With deepest sympathy at your loss, and gratitude at having been a part of your life.

To have only known Claire for a short while, I can still say what a special woman she was.  Praise God she is where there is no more suffering for her and she and the love of her life, Richard are reunited in this holy place..

What a blessing to have known Claire!!  I will always remember her smile and her sense of humor.  I am sure she will find "no mosquitoes in heaven".

OBITUARY

Laura Olive Claire Gustafson Revell

January 19, 1931 – October 12, 2014

Mountain View Funeral & Cremation

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