Claire was born on June 27, 1914, in Malcom, Iowa to Harlan and Evelyn Puls Gross. He was raised in Malcom and attended Malcom public school. On September 14, 1959, he was married to Hazel Van Cleave in Iowa City, Iowa. The couple farmed in the Malcom area for over 40 years and he worked as a press operator for the Miracle Recreation Company in Grinnell. He retired in 1981 and the couple moved to Grinnell in 1999. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir. He was also a member of the Lutheran Brotherhood, the Elks Lodge and the Eagles Lodge. Claire enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing in Minnesota and Canada. He was also an avid Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves fan. He is survived by his children, Karen (Kenneth) Wichman of Fishers, Indiana, Connie (Larry) Richman of Urbandale, Iowa, Donna (Jack) Swarthout of Newton and Phillip (Angela) Gross of Malcom; eight grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two sisters, Faye (Grover) Loftin and Dorothy Downey, both of Grinnell; and one brother, Willis (Patricia) Gross of Placentia, California. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and one brother, Kenneth Gross. Memorials may be directed to the Trinity Lutheran Church.