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Newest city park named to honor Claire Wetherell
Claire Wetherell, described as an "honest, unselfish, public servant," and as the "grand lady" of Mountain Home, had a park dedicated in her honor Monday evening.
With more than 150 people attending the hour-long ceremonies, the city council and mayor unveiled a large stone plaque honoring Wetherell in the quarter-acre park at Jerome and Pintail streets in the Patriot subdivision that features a large gazebo and will soon have playground equipment for children to enjoy.
The aging Wetherell, who no longer drives, was brought to the ceremonies by a police escort. As speaker after speaker rose to sing her praises, the typically humble Wetherell laughed and dismissed much of the lengthy listings of her accomplishments.
"I didn't realize I'd done all those things," she joked, adding more seriously that she appreciated all those who had shown up for the ceremony.
"I've always advocated parks in Mountain Home," said the first woman to ever serve on the Mountain Home City Council. During her eight years as a councilwoman, before serving 12 years as a state senator, she said that she had always advocated parks for Mountain Home.
When she and her late husband, Bob, came to Mountain Home in 1946, she said, "there was only one park in town, Carl Miller."
She fought for more parks and convinced area developers to begin setting aside land in their subdivisions for more parks. Today, Mountain Home's extensive parks system is recognized as one of the best in the state.
Born in South Dakota more than eight decades ago, Wetherell earned a degree in nursing, entered the service during WWII, and met her husband when they were both stationed in Bremerton, Wash. After the war she came to Mountain Home, her husband's home town, and began working as a nurse in the community.
Dr. John Bideganeta, a member of the hospital board of trustees and a lifelong friend of the Wetherell family, noted that the town's only doctor left shortly after she arrived, and for several years she served as the primary healthcare provider for the community.
She helped bring Dr. Malone Koelsch to Mountain Home, and together, the two of them lead the drive to pass a bond to build a hospital for the community, a facility that just celebrated its 50th year of existence.
She lead the effort to build a new library in 1976, replacing the 1907 Carnegie library, and as a member of the library board of trustees helped lead the effort to expand the library with the successful bond in 2004 that doubled the size of the current library.
She helped found the Business and Professional Women's group in Mountain Home, was the first woman to serve as president of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, was vice chairman of the state Democratic party, the Idaho Catholic Woman of the Year, and has been a member and leader of a large number of the clubs and organizations in the community.
"Whenever you were needed," Dr. Bideganeta said to her, "you were there."
The list of her accomplishments went on and on, as speaker after speaker rose to praise her.
"She is one of Mountain Home's outstanding citizens," Mayor Joe B. McNeal said, "and this park... is just a small token of our affection for her."
City treasurer Leanna Taylor, who grew up with the Wetherell children, and later served with her in the Idaho legislature, said she was "a groundbreaker in business and politics."
"She is interested in so many subjects and people... (and) she treats everyone the same, with interest, respect and kindness.
"She was never overly impressed by the great, or dismissive of the small," Taylor said, adding that she has always been a "voice for the voiceless."
And, she said, "she has taught us that tragedy can be endured." Her husband, and two of her children, Dennis and Ellen, all died before their time.
Wetherell also, Taylor said, "has an old-fashioned respect for the events of life.... What matters to you, matters to her.
"She never loses her faith, her sense of humor, or that twinkle in her eye."
A lifelong leader of the local and state Democratic Party, she was praised by Republican leaders.
State representative Rich Wills (R-Glenns Ferry), who described her as his "mentor," said that "any person can be a speaker (in politics), but Claire was a listener. She served the state of Idaho in all aspects of her life."
Wills read remarks Republican First District Congressman Butch Otter had had read into the Congressional Record on Sept. 14 remarks in which Otter described her as a woman "of civic virtue" who "served the public interest with a passion." Otter's remarks offered the "congratulations of Congress and a grateful nation."
A spokesman for Republican Sen. Larry Craig read a short statement in which she was described as "the matriarch of Mountain Home."
"Her accomplishments reflect her dedication to your community and the state of Idaho."
And former Gov. Cecil Andrus, in a prepared statement ready by Taylor, said the ceremonies were a "fitting tribute that reflects her dedication to the people of Mountain Home, and Elmore County," whom she has served for so many years.
"Claire is truly an extraordinary woman," said Mildred McNeal, wife of the mayor.
Fourth District Judge Mike Wetherell, her son, thanked the community on behalf of the entire Wetherell family for the honor given his mother.
He said his parents had always stressed the need to give back to the community, and noted, "if she sees something she doesn't think is right, she does something about it."
And, he said, through all the adversity she has overcome in life, she has always kept her well-known sense of humor. Earlier this year, Wetherell had fallen, as older people do sometimes, and had given herself a black eye. "When I saw it," the judge said, "I asked her, 'what happened?' And she quickly answered, 'jealous wife.' "
Library director Luise House perhaps summed up the praise of all the speakers when she noted, "this wonderful lady... is a true community treasure.
"I thank you for all you have done for Mountain Home."