Clara Vering

Clara “Fee” Grace Vering passed away on May 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Losing her has left a heartbreak that words can’t fully explain. She was deeply loved by so many, and the world feels a little less bright without her in it.

She was born on November 30, 1959, in Rupert, Idaho, to Charles Baker Gwin and Clara Grace Short. She was one of sixteen children and came from a big, loving family with roots in Belcourt, North Dakota and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, where she was an enrolled tribal member. Growing up in such a large family shaped her into the strong, resilient, and loving woman everyone knew her to be.

She was feisty, stubborn, hilarious, and never afraid to say exactly what was on her mind. If she loved you, you knew it. If she was mad at you, you knew it too. She had a huge heart and would do anything for the people she cared about, especially her family. No matter what she had going on, she always made sure everyone else was okay first.

She shared many years of love, memories, and adventures with her husband Samuel Torvinen. Together they traveled all over the country, making memories, spending time with family, and seeing as much of the world as they could before his passing in 2005.

Years later, she found love again with William Vering. After years and years of him asking her to marry him, she finally said yes. Anyone who knew her knows she did things in her own time and in her own way. The two made wonderful memories together traveling, spending time with grandkids, going on rides to the lake, or just hanging out at home. William passed away in 2013.

She is survived by her children, William Gwin, Rae Ann (Robin) McNutt, and Barbara (Caan) Pearce, who she loved more than anything in this world. Her children were always her pride and joy, and there was never a doubt about how deeply she loved them.

Her grandkids were one of the greatest joys of her life: Elijah, Ariana (Carlos), Patience (Nick), Quinton, Janica (Traven), Frankie (Acacia), Shae, and Connor. She also adored her great-grandchildren, Jaycob, Bren, Kamari, and Parker. Being surrounded by her family was what made her happiest, and every one of them knew how loved they were by her.

She is also survived by her siblings Dave Short, Mary Kellogg, Larry Gwin (Robin), Martin “Butch” Gwin (Kay), Margaret Fode (Earl), Maynard Gwin, Pete Gwin, and Francis Gwin (Michelle), along with many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Baker Gwin and Clara Grace Short; her siblings Leonard Short, Raymond Short, Helen Ward, Edna Gasco, Florence Sleight, George Gwin, and Dennis Gwin; and her husbands Samuel Torvinen and William Vering.

She loved the simple things in life—fishing, working in the yard, old country music, traveling, and sitting outside listening to the rain. She especially loved her dog, Snickers, who was her constant companion for many years. When Snickers passed away in 2025, everyone close to her knew how much that loss hurt her heart.

More than anything, she loved her family fiercely. She was the kind of person you thought would always be here. The kind of mom who never stopped worrying about her kids, the kind of grandma who made everyone feel safe and loved, and the kind of person whose presence made a house feel like home.

She will be missed more than words could ever say, loved forever, and never forgotten.