Clarice "Clissy" I Hyde

On July 28, 2025. Clarice ‘Clissy’ Hyde completed her sojourn on earth spanning 98 years 7 months and16 days. She was born on the wind-swept prairies of northwestern Kansas October 12, 1926, to wonderful, hardworking pioneer parents John and Esther Oelke – She was born on the wind-swept prairies of northwestern Kansas October 12, 1926, to wonderful, hardworking pioneer parents John and Esther Oelke – she was one of eleven children. She was ecstatic the day she was accepted as a stewardess by Continental Airlines shortly after World War II. At that time the fleet of Continental airplanes numbered thirteen DC-3s and two Lockheed Lodestars with a total of twenty-two stewardesses. It was the beginning of her dream, a multifaceted career with airlines spanning 40 years. Commercial aviation at that time was in its pioneer stages known as the piston era – jets were still a dream to be realized. She was later employed by American Airlines as a Supervisor of stewardesses. It was her good fortune to experience many extraordinary adventures during her airline career – i.e. given special assignment to be the stewardess for General Eisenhower on the Continental segment of his 1952 Presidential Campaign Tour. Her marriage to Jim Hyde in 1958 made for a very fulfilling life successfully melding their careers with married life in Sacramento, CA. Throughout their marriage they packed their bags many times traveling to foreign lands or enjoying their winter home in Palm Springs, California. She managed the VIP Lounge at the Sacramento Airport for Western Airlines known as The Horizon Club for 25 years hosting foreign dignitaries, members of the Legislature, businessmen, movie stars, families on a holiday etc. She attended Parnell & Emmanual Lutheran grade school and Sheridan Community High School in Hoxie, Kansas and St. Johns College in Winfield, KS. She was a member of Executive Women International, President of the Sacramento Chapter 1968, was a council member of The Hoover Institution at Stanford in Palo Alto, CA, member Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento, member of Ironwood Country Club in Palm Springs, a member and supporter of Young America’s Foundation and contributor to the purchase and upkeep of Rancho del Cielo, the Reagan western White House. She worked hard to achieve success, didn’t follow a given path, but blazed a trail, found many interests and pursued them to the fullest and made many friends along the way. Her life was never a spectator sport watched from the grandstand but rather participating in the arena of the game being a player. She is preceded in death by her husband Jim Hyde of 42 years in 2000, her parents John and Esther Oelke, brothers Harlan, Edward, Johnnie, Franklin, Fredrick and Victor Oelke, sisters Dolora Stohs and Carlotta Tweed and very dear close friend Richie Niello. She leaves to mourn her passing brother Paul Oelke, sister Carol Junge and many nieces, nephews and friends. 

Following her wishes, no service or Celebration of Life is planned.