Ethel Marie (Clifton) Okland, age 76, of Minot, ND, formerly of Watford City, ND, died June 22, 2008, in Minot, ND, surrounded by her family.

Ethel Marie Clifton was born on September 5, 1931, in Watford City, ND, the child of Thomas and Lena (Barkema) Clifton of Grassy Butte, ND.

She attended McKenzie County rural school through the 8th grade and graduated from Watford City High School. She was also a graduate of Minot State University with a degree in Elementary and Special Education. She completed graduate work through the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University carried out through evening continuing education courses. Her career in education spanned a period of thirty years beginning in McKenzie County where she taught rural schools, continuing on at South Prairie School near Minot, ND and Lincoln Elementary School in Minot, ND.

During her lifetime Mrs. Okland was a member of the National Education Association, the ND Education Association, the Minot Education Association , the International Reading Association, the Association of Teacher Education, the ND Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the American Legion Auxiliary, Sweet Adelines (Prairie Rose Chapter), Christ Lutheran Church of Minot and churches Cathedral Choir, the Letter Carriers Auxiliary, Reach to Recovery (American Cancer Society), the Senior Citizen League, local and national AARP, and Minot Area Retired Teachers.

Mrs. Okland retired from teaching in May of 1991 at Lincoln School in Minot, ND where she had spent her last twenty four years of her career teaching both Special Education and several elementary grades.

Mrs. Okland was married to Clifford M. Okland on December 2, 1949. They resided at Watford City, ND until 1962, when they moved to Minot, ND. He preceded her in death December 17, 1978. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister, AltaMae Clifton, two brothers, Donald and William Clifton, and a former son in law, Fredrick Omar.

She is survived by son, Ronald Guy (Alayne) Okland, of Minot, ND; daughters, Susan Marie Omar (Perry Baker and children), of Minot, ND; and Beverly Lennae Okland, of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Zachery Clifton Omar of Grand Junction, CO; Lindsy Lennae, Casey Martin, and Karli Marie Okland all of Minot, ND and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral: Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

The family prefers memorials to Christ Lutheran Church in Minot, ND; Metigoshe Ministries Bible Camp in Bottineau, ND; and The 2nd Story Social Club in Minot, ND.

Officiants
Pastor Russell Rhoads
Pastor Mike Johnson

Music
Processional Hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" (verses 1 & 2)
"Morning Is Broken" Duet by Susan Omar and Beverly Okland
"The King Is Coming" by the Cathedral Choir
Charles Simpson, Vocalist to offer "The Lord's Prayer"
Recessional Hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" (verses 3 & 4)
Allen Drege, Organist

Honorary Bearers
Ethel's grandchildren, all of the fellow educators she had worked with, along with her former students, and many friends.

Active Bearers: Eldon Okland, James Clifton, Casey Okland, Lyle Flatland, Zachary Omar Larry Rolfson

To sign the online guest register for Ethel
To view the online guest register for Ethel

To view the outside of Ethel's folder
To view the inside of Ethel's folder
To view the insert to Ethel's folder

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