Born: Saturday May-24-1924
Died: Sunday Jan-02-2022
Funeral: Private Service

Morrison Funeral Home
& Crematory
188 S. Hwy 24
Rupert, Idaho 83350
Contact and Directions

Clare (Clara) Gill, 97, beloved mother and round dance cuer, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022, from complications of pneumonia. She was a favorite resident at Autumn Haven Assisted Living in Rupert at the time of her death.

Clare was born May 24, 1924, at Longmont, Colorado, and grew up in the Denver area. She graduated from Denver High School and worked for the State of Oregon, then later Lockheed in California. She had two children, Paul and Charlinda, which she raised on her own. While working at Lockheed, she met John, who became the love of her life. They were married in Reno, Nevada, in the late 70s then later moved to Rupert, where they lived happily. 

The true passion for Clare and John was square and round dancing. They traveled the West, attending square dance festivals, USA West Festivals, state festivals, and national conventions, practicing this art. They bought a building across from the Rupert Golf Course that became the Round-a-Square Dance Center. Together they put in a fabulous floating floor, because it’s the very best for dancing. The “hall” as it was dubbed, became the home for the River Reelers Square Dance Club for many years.

With so much passion for dancing, Clare became a Round Dance Cuer and spent many years teaching round dance and cuing dances for at least 4-5 different clubs. A gifted choreographer, she was constantly writing new dances for her dancers to try. She excelled at teaching and usually filled the floor with round dancers when she cued. Clare also believed that if you did a step, you should do it right, and that’s how she taught. Even after John passed away, she continued teaching by herself, spending years teaching dancers the art of Round Dancing. She eventually started her own club, the Left Footers, for “her dancers”. For over 35 years she was a member of Round-A-Lab, the national round dance association, and during the last year of her life, they granted her honorary status as a cuer.

Four years ago Clare spend 3 months with Paul and Linda while she recovered from a broken leg, and during that time she got them involved with a local square and round dance group. She was finally able to pass her love of dancing on to them.  Clare also taught Linda the fine art of shopping at the dollar stores and Thrift shops. We spent many hours together shopping for bargains.  

Clare (Clara) was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John. She is survived by her daughter Charlinda Korte, of Kaiser, Oregon, her son Paul (Linda) Mizell of Edgewood, New Mexico, and two grandsons, Paul and Jason.

Now reunited with her cherished John, she can continue dancing in heaven. She leaves behind a strong legacy of round dancers she so carefully and faithfully taught. We thank the staff of Autumn Haven for their loving and tender care during her time there. Services are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home 188 S HWY 24 Rupert Idaho.

Condolences Clara Gill

We loved Clare with all our hearts. She taught us all we know about round dancing. She truly was a gifted teacher and choreographer, and she always made sure that we did things correctly. Through the years we worked with her, she became another mother to us. We will miss her More than we can ever say!

Brenda

Clare is going to be missed by all the dancers and her friends in our communities what a wonderful teacher and a great friend that some day all will get to see her on the other side and she will be ready to teach us all the hard dances that she wanted to do while she was here. we love Clare with all our hearts and wish her family the best in these hard times. Paul I know that she called you son and she had a lot more down here that she called son or daughter. i hope that we get to meet the two of you soon. our love and best wishes to you both.

Douglas Brown