Claudia Ann Hastings

Claudia Ann (Steele) Hastings, 79, of Mayville ND, died Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Claudia was born in Aberdeen SD July 2, 1934 to Claude and Helen (Tennant) Steele. She grew up in Britton SD, graduated from Britton High School in 1952, and married Derl Hastings in June of that year. They farmed near Ellendale, ND until 1979 and moved to their lake home in Park Rapids, MN where they owned and operated a laundry and a craft store. She moved to Mayville in 1983. In Mayville Claudia spent the next twenty-seven years cooking and baking first at Paula’s Steakhouse and Lounge and later at Mayville State University. She was an excellent cook; she especially enjoyed watching people enjoy her food. She was famous citywide for her pumpkin rolls. Claudia so loved a full table that she often took in stray kids. The family teased her about doing bed check each night to see how many she needed to prepare breakfast for the following morning. She was a patient and loving mother and grandmother. Claudia is survived by her children, Keith Hastings of Columbus, NE, Steven (Aprill) Hastings of Mayville, Tom Hastings of Eaton, CO and Deb (John) Merkel of Oakes, ND; her best friend of twenty-three years, Don Cannon of Mayville; twelve grandchildren and eleven and a half great-grandchildren. Claudia was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Helen Steele; former husband, Derl Hastings; sister, Mildred (Steele) Cranmore; brother, Richard Steele; and daughter-in-law, Renee (Fylling) Hastings. Visitation: 5-7 PM on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel and will resume one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Thursday, July 11, 2013 at the Congregational United Church of Christ, Mayville, ND. Burial: 4:30 PM Thursday, Britton Cemetery, Britton, South Dakota.