Clarence Masseth

Clarence Joseph Masseth was born September 30, 1923 at the homestead of his paternal grandparents in Logan County, ND. As a youngster, he lived in various communities in south-central North Dakota. In 1938, Clarence moved with his parents to Bismarck and later graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1941. After induction into the Army in 1943, Clarence attended Army Medical Tech School at Wm. Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso. He then served as a medic in the South Pacific during WWII. After completing his tour of duty, Clarence served in the Army Reserve until 1951. Clarence pursued his love of music in various bands and formed the orchestra “High Matters”. In 1947, he moved to Oakes, ND, where he met Fern Marlys Kappes. They were married June 21, 1948. They moved to Bismarck and raised a family of six children. After being employed in various sales positions as well as continuing to play in swing bands in the Bismarck area, Clarence found a position that truly allowed him to do what he loved, to travel and talk to people. As a regional representative for the National Federation of Independent Business, he spent 20 years traveling a four state area. He helped keep the area merchants and small business owners up to date on current events in government to connect the government to their needs. He retired from this in 1985, but soon found that he missed traveling and meeting people. Because of this, he continued to work into his eighties by driving and coordinating the relocation of vehicles for several Bismarck/Mandan dealerships. Clarence had a gift of humor. Even when tension existed, he could find humor in the situation and help alleviate it. Clarence loved to entertain. He used any tool available to make life more enjoyable from playing musical instruments, telling a colorful story, sharing a joke, or pointing out what most of us would just pass by without noticing. Although Clarence had many accomplishments to be proud of, such as his sports accomplishments in boxing and baseball or his natural musical abilities, he found the most pride in his country and his family. Clarence entered into eternity June 17, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Fern Masseth, and six children; Sherry Doll (Jacob) of Center, ND, Marla Huhn (Paul) of Fargo, ND, David Masseth of Mandan, ND, Joseph Masseth (Cynthia) of Lake in the Hills, IL, Gay Lynne Goldade (Jerome) of Lincoln, ND, Krista Magilke (Jamie) of Mandan, ND, 19 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great grandchildren, sister, Delores Jaskoviak of Mandan, ND, and sister-in-law, Ursula Masseth of Yuma, AZ. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, Regina and Joseph Masseth, his brother, Gilbert Masseth, and his sister, Alvina Reis. Memorial Service: Monday, June 22, 2009 at 2:00PM in the chapel of the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46th Street, Mandan, ND 58554. Luncheon follows at the Moose Lodge, 111 11th Street Mandan, North Dakota.