Frank Raymond Clemens

Frank Raymond Clemens, lifetime resident of Jamestown, passed away at the age of 95, on Thursday August 24th at Hi Acres Manor, Jamestown.

Frank was born on the family farm northwest of Eldridge, North Dakota December 27, 1910, to Alex Raymond and Jenny Marie (Fletcher) Clemens. He attended Clemens Country School through eighth grade. He began masonry work in 1927 at age 17, with his brother-in-law Bob Bourquin. During this time, he also did amateur boxing. He was a life-time fan of the sport. He was employed during the winter months with various jobs on the coasts, Texas and Florida. Frank admired horses his entire life and enjoyed farming with them, as a child and young man. As a young boy, he would ride his pony beside his father every evening to check fencing and livestock on the family farm at Eldridge. He had fond memories of those times. The untimely death of his father changed his plan for a life of farming.

Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 30, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He attended basic training at Fort Barkley, Texas. He was a member of the 90th Division Texas Oklahoma (Tough ‘Ombres) as Private First Class. He was in the 357 Regiment, 2nd Battalion, E Company, 2nd Squad, and 3rd Platoon. He participated in the Normandy Invasion (D-Day) at Omaha Beach, the Battle of the Bulge, and the advance into Czechoslovakia, under General Patton. He was wounded three times, earning the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star. He was awarded four of five Battle Stars. He was convalescing in England from wounds for the one he missed. Battles included: Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was discharged October 26, 1945 from Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

Frank and Gertrude Geraldine Winberg were married January 17, 1947 at Stutsman County Courthouse, Jamestown. He was self-employed as Frank Clemens Plastering and Stucco, which included block, brick laying, and general cement work after his discharge from the Army until November 1993. His decision to retire was based solely on his wife's health and his desire to assist her.

Frank was a life-time member of DAV, VFW, and American Legion. He was very proud to be a Veteran, but felt that war should be used only as a last resort. Every year he took his family to the Memorial Day Parade and 21 Gun Salute at Nickeus Park bridge in honor of the veterans. He worked very hard and many long hours, all of his life, to provide for his family. He never really had a hobby, except work. He enjoyed talking and joking with family and friends and in his later years watching television ball games.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Lucille (infant), Hazel (adolescent), Edna Bourquin, two brothers; Alex William "Bill" and Robert George "Bob"; four half-brothers; Charles, Edgar, John, and Reed Clemens; and one half-sister Ruth Bastian.

He is survived by his wife, six children; Marlys Alexander (James Sr.) Wangen, Sioux Falls, SD; Patricia Lee (Larry E.) Peterson, Jamestown; Michael Raymond, Jamestown; Thomas Edward (Dianne), Normal, IL; Frank Roland (Phyllis), Jamestown; and John Alex "Jack" (Cindy), Jamestown; twelve grandchildren; Stephanie (Toby) Differding, Fargo; Angela Wangen, Eagan, MN; James Jr. (Monie) Wangen, Brussels, Belgium; Auralie (Jerad) Simi, Farmington, MN; Edward Peterson, Kalamazoo, MI; Erika (Bohdan) Vadis, Sacramento, CA; Donald Clemens, Fargo; Alexander Clemens, Madison, WI; Frank R. Clemens III, Fargo; Shane Clemens, Trevor Clemens, and Lucas Clemens all of Jamestown; and five great-grandchildren; Hailee, Hannah, and Callee Differding; and James III and Alena Wangen; and his sister Mary (Don) Atchison, Santa Cruz, CA.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Haut Funeral Chapel, Jamestown, with the Rev. David Fisher officiating. Prayer Service: 7 p.m. Monday, Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown. Visitation: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Frank and Gertrude Clemens Scholarship Fund at Jamestown College.