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Clemence VanNatta • 1916 - 2007 Clem was born on March 31, 1916, in the Anamoose, ND, area, the youngest of eight children, the son of Delbert and Delia (Gebhardt) VanNatta. He was reared and educated in Pierce County. His father passed away when Clem was only two years old, leaving his mother to raise all the children on her own through the depression. These early struggles in life and the fight for survival helped to mold Clem into the hard working adult that he became. Clem was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked on the creation and maintenance of the Peace Gardens. Clem married Lorene Schmeets on June 18, 1941, in Anamoose. They farmed in the Orrin, ND and Knox, ND area for several years. They moved to Minot in 1958 where Clem worked as a foreman for the City of Minot Water Department. Clem also did side jobs as a carpenter, and built several homes in the Minot area. Clem was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and a former member of St. Leo's Catholic Church both in Minot. He was a lifetime member of the Minot Moose Lodge, the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles Aerie and the Elks Lodge. Clem loved music, both listening and playing. Clem taught himself how to play the piano, organ, violin and guitar. He could pick up an instrument, listen to a song, and play that song on the instrument he was playing. One of his greatest joys was watching his great-grandchildren play musical instruments. Clem was a very happy, generous, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gambling, traveling, playing cards and genuinely enjoyed life. He will be missed each and everyday and although he will not physically be with us, Clem will live in out hearts forever. Suvivors: wife of 66 years, Lorene; daughter, Kathy (Jerry) Burckhard, Minot; son Lanny Van Natta, Jamestown, ND; four grandchildren, Robert (Lisa) Wolf, Minot, David (Karene) Wolf, Spokane, WA, Ronda Drobnis, Mt. Arlington, NJ and Rick Wolf, Minot; eight great-grandchildren, Danielle, Whitney and Matthew Wolf all of Minot, Brandon and Kevin Wolf, Spokane, WA, Kyle and Kayla Drobnis, Succasunna, NJ and Tasha Wolf, Minot; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Clem was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Louis, Lawrence, Leo, William VanNatta and Dick Galvin and sisters Zella Rovey and Gertrude Hager.
Vigil Prayer Service: Today, Sunday, December 9, 2007, at 5 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot. Visitation: Today, Sunday, December 9, 2007, from noon until 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot Celebrant of the Liturgy: Father Bruce Krebs Concelebrant: Father Henry Schneider Eulogists: Ronda Drobnis, Lisa Wolf Readers: Kayla Drobnis, Whitney Wolf, Lisa Wolf Gift Bearers: Danielle Wolf, Whitney Wolf, Matthew Wolf, Tasha Wolf, Kayla Drobnis Kevin Wolf Music Honorary Bearers: All of Clemence's family and friends Active Bearers: Mike Van Natta, Dennis Zimmerman, George
Gathman, James Hager,
To sign the online guest register
for Clem |
Clemence
Matthew VanNatta, 91, Minot, died Wednesday, December 05, 2007,
in a Minot hospital.