Clarence Koland, 91, died on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at the CNC unit of the Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Virgil Rasmussen officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 4-7 PM at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM.

Clarence John Koland was born on March 26, 1913 on the family farm near Karlstad, MN to Christ and Laura (Harrison) Koland. He was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church and attended school in Strandquist, MN.

Clarence entered the Army Air Corp in 1942. He served as a Corporal and operated the radar tracking station in Iceland, during WW II until his discharge in Berkley, CA in 1945. He was united in marriage to Melbrey Viola Arvesen on May 29, 1945. They lived in Berkley, CA for a short time then moved to Bottineau, ND where Clarence was working with his brother Louie building grain elevators and houses. They then moved to Strandquist and then to Karlstad where Clarence worked as a carpenter. He built many homes in the NW Minnesota area. Clarence and Melbrey moved to Thief River Falls in 1984. He has resided at Valley Home for the past couple of years.

Clarence enjoyed woodworking. He built many things including clocks. He was also proud of his country and his service to his country. Clarence also enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. He was a Life Member of the American Legion in Thief River Falls, MN, and was a member at the Hegland Church near Strandquist for many years.

Clarence is survived by his wife Melbrey, Red Lake Falls, MN; two sons: Wayne (Susie), Thief River Falls, MN; Curtis (Sandy), Wasilla, Alaska; 4 grandchildren: Sarah (Joey) Sabol, Thief River Falls, MN; Shelley (John) Cervantes, Thief River Falls, MN; Nathan Koland, Thief River Falls, MN; Charity Koland (fiance Wade Bailey), Wasilla, Alaska; 3 step grandchildren: Lorie (Steven) Faris, Scott (Ruth) Syverson, and Brent (fiance Janat) Syverson, 6 great grandchildren: Nick, Carley, and Josie Cervantes, Cayley and Blaine Sabol, Kimberlee Bailey; step great grandchildren: Robyn, Erika, and Breanna Faris; Kristina and Micheal Syverson, one sister Betty Maudlin, Boulder City, NV; two sisters in law, Bess Koland, Luella Dravland and many friends,.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Norris, Louis; three sisters: Ida Hendrichs, Alice Lerud, Bertha Koland, step father Hans Nelson.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Mitch Borneman
SELECTIONS: Amazing Grace, On Eagles Wings
TRIBUTE: Nick Cervantes
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art, Battle Hymn of the Republic, As the Deer
PALLBEARERS: Craig Spilde, John Cervantes, Joey Sabol, Mitch Borneman, Jack Owen, Jerry Owen, Skip Borneman
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
MILITARY HONORS: Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW Posts