Ms. Langstaff was born July 14, 1945, in Rifle, Colo. to Annie Watson (Smith) and William Leon Langstaff. Her grandparents were Bartholomew and Etta Worrall Langstaff and Frank and Barbara Smith. She was a 1963 graduate of Rifle Union High School.
She married Elmer Gene Clugston of Rifle, Colo. on June 1, 1963. The couple promptly took off on their honeymoon to "The Last Frontier" to start their new married life. Both she and Gene were "inspired by the Tay Thomas book 'Follow the North Star.'"
In 1980 she was selected as the Matanuska Valley's Homemaker of the year. She was well known in her neighborhood as an independent woman who was very grateful for her neighbors' help while her husband was often gone for weeks at a time working as a carpenter in the Bush.
She enjoyed playing softball for many years. Her favorite team was the 'Hole in the Glove Gang.'
She was very involved in her children's lives and schools and managed to maintain a farm, garden and beautify her home with many flowers and shrubs.
She held an active role with the local PTA. She assisted several teachers with homework corrections and attended many band and hockey trips as a chaperone.
In 1989 she and Gene divorced and she moved to Boise, Idaho, where she pursued a nursing career. In 1992 she graduated from Boise State University as a licensed practical nurse.
During her 13-year residency in Boise she managed to travel and hike many of the mountains and parks of Idaho, Utah and Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her sister Martha Flynn in 2001; brothers Richard Ervin in 1973, Walter Roy in 1971 and Jesse Alfred Langstaff in 1998; and her mother Annie Watson (Smith) and father William Leon Langstaff in 1964.
She is survived by her daughters Lucy Klebesadel of Palmer, Victoria Clugston of Boise, Idaho, Jeanette Clugston of Wasilla; son Leon Clugston of Wasilla; sister Thelma King; two brothers William James Langstaff and Lester Langstaff, all of Rifle, Colo.; and grandchildren Corey Buzzard, Nicholas Langham and Jennifer Klebesadel.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Rifle Funeral Home in Rifle, Colo. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be spread at her favorite hiking place on the family ranch. Memorial contributions may be made to Roaring Fork Hospice.
Source: Frontiersman, 27 September 2002
