Clarence John Riecke was born on December 23, 1918, in Davison County, South Dakota, to William and Martha (Gollesch) Riecke. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith on February 18, 1919, and confirmed May 7, 1933, at Hillside Lutheran Church in South Dakota. Clarence was united in marriage to Grace M. Ross on November 30, 1941, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Clarence and Grace were married for seven days, when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Clarence served honorably in the United States Army Field Artillery and was over seas for three years. He was part of the D-Day Invasion in the European Theatre on the Beaches at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He helped to liberate Paris and Buchenwald Concentration Camp. He returned home in 1945 and he and Grace lived in Hill City, South Dakota, where he was a mail route driver, drove a grocery delivery truck through the Black Hills and built and operated Rick's Standard Station/Motel in Hill City. Later they moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, where he ran a motel and was in Real Estate. In 1962 the family moved to Granite Falls, Minnesota, where he was owner of the Scenic Valley Motel and worked for Rodger Hydraulics and Mooney Construction. The family moved to Clarkfield, Minnesota, in 1970. While living in Clarkfield, Clarence was a Caretaker at Valhalla Apartments, worked in the Coast-to-Coast Store and was an Assistant to Dr. Jahn, Veterinarian. Clarence was a member of the Clarkfield Lutheran Church and was active in many organizations throughout his life. He was a volunteer Fire Chief and founding stockholder in the 1880 Train in Hill City, South Dakota. He taught Sunday School, served on various church and community boards and was an American Legion Post Commander. Clarence enjoyed woodworking, coin collecting, antiquing, and spending time with his family. He entered the Clarkfield Care Center on September 11, 2000. He passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2002, at the Care Center at the age of 83 years, 8 months and 2 days. Clarence is survived by his wife Grace of Clarkfield; daughters, Paulette (and Bob) Grieger of Wood Lake, Minnesota, Marty (and Rodney) Jans of Montevideo, Minnesota, Julie (and Dean) Olson of Cottonwood, Minnesota, and Pam (and Brian) Ehnert of New York Mills, Minnesota; and by one son: Ross (and Kayann) Riecke of Clarkfield. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; sister-in-law Celestine Riecke of Mitchell, South Dakota; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Martin and Peter; and one sister, Margaret. Visitation Tuesday, August 27, 2002, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Prayer Service 7:30 p.m. Lynner Funeral Home, Clarkfield, Minnesota Funeral Service Wednesday, August 28, 2002, 10:30 a.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating, Pastor Terry Brandt Organist, Rick Grieger Congregational Hymns "Lift High the Cross" "Oh Master, Let Me Walk With You" "Lead On, O King Eternal" Soloist, Ross Riecke "A Mighty Fortress is our God!" "The Lord's Prayer" Pianist, Hunter Fennell Honorary Casket Bearers Wenzel Andersen, Wes Husby Kenneth Jacobson, Loran Kratz David Rupp, Leo Toft, Wayne Walthers Casket Bearers Brian Ehnert, Chuck Grieger Robert Grieger, Rodney Jans Dean Olson, Denton Olson, Nate Riecke Final Resting Place Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery, Clarkfield, Minnesota Military Rites J. Ben Johnson Post 169, Clarkfield, Minnesota "Taps" by David Rupp Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota