Clayton W Okstad

Funeral service for Clayton Wallace Okstad Sr., 93, of Aurora will be 11 am Monday, January 7, 2019 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Aurora with Pastor Barb Hegfors officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Military honors will be accorded by the Aurora-Hoyt Lakes Color Guard.  Inurnment will be in the Forest Hill Columbarium in Aurora.  Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Aurora. Clayton died Monday, December 31, 2018 at Essentia Health-Virginia. Clayton was born on October 13, 1925 to Sigurd and Mabel (Anderson) Okstad in Gully, MN.  He grew up and attended school in Proctor before being drafted in the US Army to serve during WWII.  Clayton was on the Bomb Disposal Squad in the European Theater during the Battle of the Bulge.  He was awarded four bronze stars for his exceptional service.  Clayton was united in marriage to Ruby Dahl on June 7, 1947.  He had worked at several jobs before being employed by Erie Mining Company, retiring after twenty-two years of service as a Maintenance Supervisor in 1983.  Clayton and Ruby enjoyed camping and traveling the US in their RV.  He also enjoyed woodworking, mechanics, and bowling on leagues.  Clayton was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Aurora, having served on the church Counsel and choir, the Aurora American Legion Post #241, the Masons and Eastern Star, and the Good Sam’s and Red Dale Camping Clubs.  Clayton was most proud of his family.  He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather who especially loved babies and young children. Survivors include his wife of 71 years: Ruby; three children: Clayton (Cindy) Okstad, Jr., Patricia (Byron) Gaylord, and Richard (Julie) Okstad; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Gaylord; five siblings: Doris, Sidney, Bernice, Parnell, and Caroline; and his parents.