Clarence Muske

After a lifetime of service to God, Pastor Clarence Muske, age 93, died on March 9, 2008, at St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield, Minnesota. Clarence Jalmar Muske was born on July 23, 1914 on the family farm near Grand Rapids, ND, to Herman and Martha (Wetzel) Muske. He graduated from Berlin, ND High School, Concordia College, St. Paul, MN and Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St. Louis, MO. On Feb. 15, 1942, he was united in marriage to Norma Kaphingst at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Afton Township, MN. During his years as a pastor he served congregations in Center (St. Paul's), Churchtown and Stanton, ND; Lamberton (Zion, now Our Savior's Lutheran) and Wanda, MN (Christ Lutheran); Mapleton, MN (St. John's), and Fernando, MN (St. Matthew's). After retiring in 1977, Clarence and Norma resided in Litchfield, MN until Norma's death in 2003. The following year Pastor Muske moved to Prince of Peace Retirement Home in Hutchinson, MN, and then to St. John Lutheran Home, Springfield, MN. Throughout his life he especially enjoyed traveling to all 50 U.S. states and many foreign countries. He loved to hunt, fish, and work in his garden. He enjoyed collecting and restoring antique cars. He and Norma spent many years traveling in their RV, and belonged to two Good Sam's Clubs. Following retirement, he also spent several years serving as a supply pastor in various area churches. He loved people and maintained a wide circle of friends through letters, phone calls and the internet. Clarence is survived by three daughters and two sons: Clarice (Robert) Anderson, Pemberton, MN; Linda Reiter, Sammamish, WA; Paul (Josephine) Muske, Springfield, MN; Susan (Robert) Frederick, Cedar Rapids, IA; and John (Sandra) Muske, Hutchinson, MN. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brothers, Arthur of Vancouver, WA and William (Hilda) of LaMoure, ND; sisters, Martha Kaphingst of Litchfield, MN, Adeline (Francis) Schumacher of Kalispell, MT, and Eleanor Daker of Mossy Rock, WA; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Muske of Litchfield, MN, and Maxine Muske of Grand Rapids, ND, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Norma; son, Joel in 1968;son-in-law, Walter Reiter; brothers, Martin and Herman; brothers-in-law, Harold Kaphingst and Charles Daker; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Muske.