With profound sorrow, we announce that Clary Helen (Houser) DeRemer passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 2:00pm. Surrounded by her loving family — her husband Ken, sons KC, Wyatt, and Ben, and sister Janeé — Clary peacefully departed this world at Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas, Oregon, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. True to her indomitable spirit, Clary skied her last run with true mettle, leaving behind a legacy that showcased her deep love for family and the great outdoors.
Born on March 24, 1953, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon, to Charles Harrison (CH) Houser and Doreen Patricia (Dillard) Houser, Clary was the second oldest of seven children. After her parents separated, she welcomed a loving stepmother Janice Marie (Gooding) Houser, and two new sisters, as well as a stepbrother and stepsister via her stepfather Darrell Duane DeWhitt.
Clary was someone who lived each day to its fullest. She loved all seasons — kayaking, biking, gardening – she did it all. She was perhaps best known as an avid skier, embracing her philosophy to hit the slopes each season for as many days as her years of life — just this past season, she proudly exceeded 70 days!
Clary graduated from Mark Morris High School in 1971, after attending Kellogg St. Peters Catholic School and John Marshall High School. She earned her nursing degree from Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington. Babies were her business, and after working at Monticello Medical Center and St. John Medical Center in Longview, Washington, she dedicated nearly three decades to the Neonatal, Nursery, and Labor and Delivery wards at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon as a registered nurse. In 1986, Clary married Kenneth Francis Lyle DeRemer, and they had their first son, Kenneth Charles (KC), followed by twins Wyatt Ross and Benjamin James, in 1989.
Following the passing of her parents, Clary became the matriarch and historian of the extended Houser, Dillard, DeWhitt, and DeRemer families. She bonded the family with the strength of superglue, hosting camping trips, gatherings, and maintaining frequent contact through calls. Clary is survived by her husband Ken, sons KC, Wyatt, and Ben, as well as her brothers: Samuel (Sam), Howard (Howie), Robin (Rob), and Robert (Cousin Bobby), and sisters Doris (Dorby), Mildred (Millie), Myrtle (Barbara), Elizabeth (Bobo), Charneé, Janeé, Michele (Shellie), Elise (Cousin Lisa), Amber (her best friend) and her stepmother Janice (Jan), along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws, all of whom were profoundly touched by her vibrant personality and resilience. Clary was a beacon of strength and positivity, having kicked cancer’s butt not once, not twice, but three times before losing her final battle.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 2:00pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham, Oregon (520 W Powell Blvd). A live stream of the celebration will also be available on the funeral home’s website at [https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/clary-deremer]. Please upload a photo, send a note, or
share a favorite memory with Clary on her obituary page of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home’s website at [https://www.batemancarrollfunerals.com/] or directly at [https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/gresham-or/clary-deremer-11778864]. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed in her memory to the Optimist Youth Fund – a cause she passionately supported – during the Celebration of Life, or mail to 2025 SE Kelly Avenue, Gresham, Oregon 97080.
In keeping with Clary’s love of life and adventure, we encourage guests to dress in a way that celebrates and reflects the energetic and vibrant life she lived. Outfits that remind you of a favorite adventure or happy moment shared with Clary are most welcome.
We invite friends, family and all whose lives were touched by Clary to join us in celebrating her remarkable life. Who she was will forever inspire us all.
With Heartfelt Thanks,
The DeRemer Family
my thoughts, other careers came careening by and my passion to write was placed on the back burner. Now that I am back into the art of the written word, it is an outlet that now has an even bigger and better place in my life.
Although the journalistic approach to writing is a non-biased and complete factual account of names, places and events, becoming a staff writer for the Mountain Times has realigned my focus on writing and is now something I do often as a fun, creative outlet. With several short stories, poems and a novel saved for future adventures, being able to express myself with words is something that is both a blessing and a curse. The fear of failure and judgment that comes with putting your imagination on paper can be a very nerve-racking experience, but I have found it is better to put those ideas into characters, quotes and a storyline rather than let them go to waste.
As a resident of the Mt. Hood Villages for over a decade now, I have grown to love and appreciate this most beautiful area in so many ways. As a local business owner of Coffee House 26, I have seen the many ups and downs that come with living in a tourist destination. During our shutdown with Covid I decided to take my love for reading and writing and incorporate it into my coffee shop, with the addition of new and used books for sale. Sharing both my love for coffee and reading was a dream come true, and it truly seemed to ignite a passion in others, too. Those passions came in the form of a book club, book donations and a theme every month for showcased novels.
With each passing month as a local journalist, I am reminded why I keep the art of writing a huge part of my life. Each interview, article, draft and final proof continues to inspire me to dig deeper into our community for other passionate artists and newsworthy stories. And while being a business owner, journalist and reading enthusiast is a large part of who I am both professionally and creatively, I will always be Amber Lynn, Youngstown, Ohio native, Mt. Hood local, meatball makin’ cat mom at heart.