Claire died peacefully surrounded by family on a beautiful sunny morning May 29, 2026 at St. John’s Vista.

Claire Mae Leland, daughter of Wayne and Charlotte (VanNice) Shoop, born November 11, 1930 weighing 3.5 pounds (later her mother had a 9 lb. tumor removed). She was wrapped in a blanket, laid on the oven door and fed with an eye dropper. No hair, no eyelashes. Her dad later told her she was such a homely little thing they had to love her! He called her “Babe” for many years. There were three other children, Tom (1925), Calvin (1927) and Joyce (1928). They lived on farms in the Boyd and Joliet area.

Claire graduated from Joliet High School as Salutatorian in 1948. She went to work as a secretary at Marshall Wells in Billings, later becoming secretary to the President at Rocky Mountain College for 7 years. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard McClintock in 1949 and they had three children: Barbara (1950), Gayle (1955) and Gary (1956). They later divorced.

Claire organized “Parents Without Partners” meetings at the YWCA, courtesy of Margaret Ping. There she met Edward Leland and they married August 15, 1964. He had four children, Ed Leland Jr., Patricia, Rickard, and Doug. Ed finished the basement at 1926 Ave. D for the blended family. It was a full house! One year after their marriage, Pat was killed in a car accident while taking a group of Central Christian Church teenagers on an outing to Big Timber. It was a sad time. Ed was an elder of Central Christian Church and Claire helped. They were active and served on all the committees; Claire was head of Women’s Fellowship.

After Ed’s retirement, Claire and Ed traveled extensively throughout the US, wearing out 3 RVs. They spent winters in Yuma, AZ. Summers Claire was busy gardening, raising flowers, strawberries and vegetables, and canning. They lived at Avenue D 52 years. Ed died in 2007 and Claire continued going to Yuma during winter for awhile. After hurting her back, she sold their home in 2016, moving into assisted living at St. John’s Vista. She has resided at Vista almost 10 years, enjoying many activities and friends, especially Carmen and Dagmar.

Claire is survived by daughter Barbara Prestrud (Jay, deceased) Billings, their daughter Lindsey of Portland, OR, Gayle Brakke (Dennis, deceased) children Brian Brakke (Marci) of Pennsylvania, Jason Brakke of Oregon, David Brakke (Mary) of Draper, UT, Kirstin Lassig (Kirk) of Salt Lake City, Stephanie Barlow (Mahonri) of St. George, UT, Daniel Brakke of Salt Lake City, Gary McClintock (Roxie, deceased) of Billings, Ed Leland Jr. Billings, Rick Leland (Chris) Grand Rapids, MI, children Nancy and Kurt, Doug Leland (Julie) Denver, CO, their children Brendin of Denver and Brittney of Myrtle Beach, SC, and 21 great grandchildren, the youngest being born on Claire’s birthday last year. Claire is also survived by several beloved nephews and their families. Service date and time is pending, but will be held at St. John’s Lillis Chapel with Pastor Darren Paulson officiating.