Claire Todd Hamburger

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Claire Todd Hamburger, 90, of Gettysburg, passed away unexpectedly of cardiac arrest Sunday, June 18, 2023, at Avera Heart Hospital, Sioux Falls. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Scott Crook presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 30, 2023, at the church with visitation beginning at 6:00.

Claire Margaret Hoff was born June 14, 1933, in Eau Claire, WI, the third of five girls born to Clifford and Gwendolyn L. (Bailey) Hoff. Claire grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota and received her primary education at Franklin School in Minneapolis, MN. At age 14, Claire was saved by the Lord Jesus Christ during Christmas 1947. This changed her life resulting in a transfer of her education to Prairie Bible Institute (PBI) High School and College in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, graduating in 1955. She spent her summer doing mission work with Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS). Upon completion of her Bachelor’s of Religious Studies from PBI, Claire furthered her education at Columbia Bible College for two years, taking extensive teaching courses from Northern Normal College in Aberdeen, SD, and ethics courses from the University of Calgary and PBI. 

Claire’s mission work brought her to Agar, SD, where she met her future husband, Basil Todd. He served in the military from 1956-1958 and was stationed at a Nike Base on Long Island, NY. He went AWOL to marry Claire on May 3, 1957. This union was blessed with four boys: Jonathan, Ted, Nathanael, and Elliott. In 1961, they bought a farm and raised dairy cows near Agar, SD. In 1975, they moved their family to Manitoba, Canada, and purchased a horse ranch (PMU). 

In 1981, they relocated to Okotoks, Alberta, and later, to Turner Valley. Claire worked as a nurse’s aide as well as in the laundry department at area nursing homes; all the while continuing her education. For many years, Claire and Basil provided foster care, being blessed with helping 30+ children.  In 2006, they moved to Three Hills. After the death of Basil, Claire became reacquainted with Melvin Hamburger. They were married in August 2013 and traveled back and forth from South Dakota to Alberta.

Claire had many interests during her lifetime. In her younger years, it was swimming, fishing, caring for animals, gardening, and growing house plants. Later in life Claire found joy in writing poetry, collecting books and newspaper clippings, traveling, playing games, working puzzles, doing brain teasers, meeting new people, visiting, and having coffee with desserts, food, or just plain eating! She always stayed busy serving the Lord, making sure to attend church wherever she lived and helping teach Sunday School. 

Claire was a true businessperson. She had many successful years with Amway and was always looking for the next opportunity.  

Those left to cherish Claire’s life include her husband, Melvin; her children: Jonathan (Terrie), Ted (Wendy), and Elliott (Sheila); grandchildren: Nathanael, Mindy (Kevin), Reuben, Robyn (Rob), Tara (Jeff), Monte (Mal), Matthew (Shiela), Stephen, Joseph (Hannah), Philip (Aleah), Ethan, and Nathan; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters: Toni Brown and Sylvia Duray; half-sister: Candace; sister-in-law Karen Todd, and numerous nieces and nephews as well as Melvin’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Clifford Hoff and Gwendolyn Fladhus; husband, Basil Todd; son, Nathanael; sisters: Verna May Bailey and Virginia Smith; and half-sisters: Lenora, Rose, and Eva. 

Memorials in Claire’s honor may be directed to Prairie Bible Institute, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Focus on the Family, Salvation Army, Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre, Trans World Radio, or Compassion Canada. 

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Claire’s arrangements.