Clarence J. Davis

Clarence J. Davis, born to Ole William and Jorgina Davis in rural Lake Park, MN, November 8, 1906, died on February 28, 2005 at Johnson Eldercare, Fargo, ND, at the age of 98. While at home, Clarence helped his parents on their family farm, north of Lake Park, milking cows, caring for animals, and helping with field work. He attended Lake Park public schools, graduating from high school in 1924. His mother, Jorgina, determined that her children would have an education that was denied her. Accordingly, Clarence was a student at St. Olaf College, North field, MN, graduating in 1928. After college, Clarence continued to help on the farm, taking on increased responsibility as he got older. He took over full management upon the death of his father in 1938. Clarence had a wonderful singing voice and was in great demand for solo singing at church services, funerals, celebrations and various events in Lake Park and the surrounding area, as well as singing in his home church choir. He served for some years as chairman of the Lake Park Lutheran congregation, and served on the local elevator board. For many years he served on the board of Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley. In August 1952, Clarence married Agnes Skibsrud of Aberdeen SD, having met her while she was parish worker at First Lutheran Church of Detroit Lakes, MN. She also was a St. Olaf graduate, with a good singing voice and joined Clarence in singing duets at services and events throughout the area. In 1956 Clarence built a new dairy and expanded the dairy herd, and continued dairying until 1968. During this time he received a Dairyman of the Year award. In 1974 he retired from the farm and he and Agnes moved to a home they purchased in Moorhead. For the next nine years he worked at Concordia College on the food service staff. Clarence and Agnes continued to use their voices in the Trinity Lutheran Church choir and in oratorios and operettas as well as solo and duet singing as long as they were able. Clarence was an active member of the Gideon Bible Society for forty some years. They also did quite a bit of traveling. Their final years were spent at Eventide Home in Moorhead, where Agnes died two years ago. Clarence lived at Johnson Eldercare the last eight months where he received loving care from Meredith and Dale Johnson. Clarence passed away peacefully in his sleep February 28, 2005. Clarence and Agnes had a marvelous, lifelong, Christian witness, and touched many lives through word and song.Clarence and Agnes had no children. Their closest surviving relatives include nephews Leland Marita Erickson of Lake Park, Arland Kathy Erickson of Minneapolis, Leighton Erickson of Austin, TX and niece Astri Dave Matson of Pelican Rapids, and several grand nieces and nephews.