Claire Kono
March 17, 1917 ~ March 6, 2010
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wecota with Pastors Gregory Hinners and Derek A. Roberts officiating. Burial followed in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Wecota with military honors. Visitation was held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 8, 2010 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at Luce Funeral Home in Faulkton.
Claire F. Kono, son of Elmer and Margaret (Hagman) Kono, was born March 17, 1917 in Rockham, SD on Saint Patrick’s Day. Claire entered Armed Services in 1941 and served four years in the 41st infantry. His duty was in the Military Police and he was stationed in New Guinea. He was awarded the Purple Heart for service to his country. Claire served as Chaplin for the Cresbard Legion for many years.
He married Vivian Lehman of Cresbard, South Dakota. Throughout his life, Claire worked on the family farm until 1992 when his son, Rodney, took over the family farm.
Claire drove school bus for over 25 years. He enjoyed the children he bused for all those years and watched them grow up into their adulthood. Claire always carried lemon drop candy and freely shared them with anyone.
Claire will also be remembered for his beautiful voice and the singing that he did at many weddings, funerals and church services. He continued his singing at Bethesda until his death and helped lead the hymn sings. Claire also will be remembered for his very early morning birthday calls to the local residents around Cresbard. He also made many hospital visits to patients and shut-ins.
Survivors include his four children: Chad (Jane) Kono of Brooklyn Park, MN, Maureen (Jim) Roberts of Aberdeen, SD, Janeen (Larry) Meier of Cresbard, SD and Rodney (Cyrece) Kono of Aberdeen, SD; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vivian; two brothers: Delmar and Keith, and one sister, Gertie Holm.
The family prefers memorials be made to Bethesda Town Square, 1425 15th Ave SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, where he received excellent care.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Claire’s arrangements.
MINISTERS
Rev. Gregory Hinners
Rev. Derek A. Roberts
CASKETBEARERS
Travis Roberts
Anthony Meier
Joshua Meier
Dustin Kono
Shane Kono
Eric Kono
Melissa Kono
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
All Claire's Many Friends
USHERS
Kurt Holt
Bob Rusch
GUESTBOOK
Norma Miller
ORGANIST
Lori Holt
MUSICIANS
Immanuel Lutehran Choir
"How Great Thou Art"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
"My Redeemer Lives"
"Jesus Lives, The Victory's Won"
"For All the Saints"
INTERMENT
Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Wecota, South Daktoa
Full Military Honors
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To my dear loving uncle, Claire
You had a loving and unusual life. I am going to miss your beautiful voice and sense of humor. Thanks so much for everything you did for me as a child. I know your feeling your oats up in heaven with all your siblings, your Mom and Dad. Someday we all will be together once again.
Sorry for your loss, Marreen, Chad, Rodney and Janeen. He’s smiling down on you.
Love Trudy
To the Family of Claire Kono,
I will always remember Mr. Kono as the nicest and most firendly bus driver.
We have many fond memories of having coffee at the 212 Cafe and visiting with Claire. I always wanted to visit him in Aberdeen. Just the other day I ran across the Aberdeen American News article and picture I had saved of him singing at the chapel in the article entitled “Young at Heart.”
His appreciation of and dedication to veterans was greatly appreciated.
Cherish the memories!
He was a great guy. I can still remember him calling me every year on my birthday to sing me happy birthday when I was younger ! My thoughts & prayers go out to his family.
I never had the privelege of receiving a birthday phone call, but I know my mom did. 🙂 I did however, get in on the stash of lemon drops he always had in his pockets! 🙂 You feel like a piece of your childhood is gone without Claire Kono! He was always singing on the bus, or would even break out in song to you during a basketball game. 🙂 Never a dull moment with Claire! He will be missed! 🙂
My deepest sympathy to Claire’s family. I will always remember Claire as my bus driver.
Sometimes he would stop the bus at the hotel and send the kids in to get a treat. One time he stopped at my house and had me get my mother outside so he could sing her happy birthday. Claire was such a wonderful person.
James Finley
My Uncle Claire was the greatest. I will always remember his sense of humor and how he always had a kind word for everyone. The last time I saw him I told him I owed by ability to flirt to him, cuz he taught me how. He laughed. I will forever remember my “Smiling Irish Uncle” Evertime I hear “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” I will see him serenading us kids. Love and Prayers Uncle Claire – Say Hi to Grandma Gertie. Becky
Dear Kono Family, My sincere sympathy to all of you in the loss of your Father and Grandfather. Clair was such a good friend to many and always generously gave of his time in respect to others in need. He was so good to my sister, Jewel Richards Hahler as well as other Richards Family members. May God Bless His Memory. Sincerly, Randy L. Richards
Our family will be thinking about you in this sad time. Claire was everyones favorite bus driver and a wonderful neighbor and friend.
I will miss Claire at Towne Square. He always put a smile on my face when he came into the beauty shop. I will also miss his great voice when he was in chapel. Angie
I will always remeber getting those early morning birthday calls from Clare; he could always make me smile. God’s blessings to all the Kono family Pastor and Eilenn Kuhnle
Lemon drops, birthday calls and bouncing down the back roads of Faulk County on a school bus. You will be missed.
Claire was a wonderful Father in Law, always positive and a good role model for all his relitives. He really didn’t ever meet a stranger. I’ll certainly miss him.
School Bus, baseball, and more.
Rest in peace