Claudia Gillespie

Claudia was born July 22, 1948, in Minot, to Richard and Arlaine (Helstedt) Durbin. She grew up in Minot and was educated at Minot High School.

Claudia was united in marriage to Kenneth Gillespie on March 10, 1966, in Kansas City, Mo. The next 14 years would be spent in Kansas City, where they would raise their family until returning to Minot in 1980.

Claudia began her career as ‘Cloudy’ the clown in Minot. Throughout the years, she and her husband, Ken ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie, would be an integral part of the Minot community. They operated Balloon Company Express and the singing telegram service, worked at the Bump N’ Tilt and assisted the zoological society with the operation of Kiddyland for many years. In addition to her profession as an entertainer, Claudia also worked as an educator for children with special needs for many years at Central Campus of Minot Public Schools, building relationships with the children and their families that she treasured.

Claudia saw the best in everyone and everything. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and trusted sister. These qualities were shown over the years to the animals that she sheltered, often taking them in injured, nursing them to health. All of them were given back their freedom or if they desired a new place to call home in her house.

Claudia was a member of Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot. She was also a member of the World Clown Association, where she served as first lady to her husband when he was president of the association. She was also the recipient of numerous awards for parade ability and skits over the years through the association. She also was honored numerous times at the North Dakota State Fair as Best All-Around Clown. She enjoyed sewing and was so creative. She will be deeply missed by all who shared in her life.

Claudia is survived by her husband of nearly 49 years, Ken ‘Dizzy’ Gillespie, Minot; children, Janet (Curtis) Degenstein, Minot, and Jared Gillespie, Minot; sisters, Sherry (Gary) Rogers, Lovelock, Nev., and Colleen (Victor) Bledsoe, Parker, Kan.; mother, Arlaine Durbin, Minot; brothers, Danny (Linda) Durbin, Prescott, Wis., and Jimmy (Marge) Durbin, Appleton, Wis.; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Durbin.

Funeral: 1 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2015, at Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.

Interment: Bergen Community Cemetery, Bergen.

There will be no reviewal, however, family and friends are invited to sign a memorial register one hour prior to the service, Monday at the church.

Memorials: Preferred to Vincent United Methodist Church or Souris Valley Animal Shelter, both of Minot.

Those wanting to sign the online memorial register or share memories and condolences are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.