Clarence W. Nissila, 87, of Whitehall, Montana, formerly of Nimrod, Minnesota, died on Sunday, January 22, 2006, at the St. James Health Care Center in Butte, Montana, following a short illness.
Clarence was born on August 10, 1918, in rural Menahga, Minnesota, to William and Edla (Salo) Nissila. It was in this same area that he attended country school and grew through his boyhood years. As a young man his family moved to Northeastern Minnesota and settled in the Cedar Valley area near Floodwood.
He entered the United States Navy where he proudly served his country in the Pacific Theatre of World War II stationed aboard the USS Rockbridge. His tour of duty was served in the South Pacific where his ship and crewmates were present during the battle of Iwo Jima.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Minnesota and settled near Nimrod where he met a pretty young lady named Anna Muriel Cassidy. The young couple was united in marriage on August 20, 1947. This union was blessed with four children: Pat, Brent, James and Kathy. Early in his marriage, Clarence gained employment working at the Co-op Garage in Menahga. He later moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where he worked for the J.D. Harold Construction Company and then moved with his family to the Iron Range where he worked in the mines as a welder.
In 1961, Clarence and his family returned to the Nimrod area where he engaged in farming and logging. Clarence enjoyed the hard but yet satisfying challenge of farming. He raised a fine herd of dairy cattle and spent long days in the fields raising the crops needed to feed his herd. Later, he worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fighting forest fires, witching wells for water sources for fighting fires and also helped maintain the area state campgrounds.
He and Anna moved to Western Montana in 2001 and settled near Whitehall where family members helped him and Anna build a new log home.
Clarence loved the out-of-doors especially when he could be hunting, fishing or trapping. This past fall, Clarence enjoyed hunting elk in the Montana Rockies near his home. Clarence enjoyed gardening, and watching the birds and wildlife at his Montana property. Clarence was gifted musically and taught himself to play the fiddle, accordian, mouth organ and mandolin. As a young man, he played with his father and several friends in an old-time band that performed at area functions. Clarence was active in his community. He was a member of the Nimrod Senior Citizens; a lifetime member of the American Legion Post of Sebeka, Minnesota; a former treasurer of Orton Township; and served as Master of the Orton Grange. He had been recognized by the State of Minnesota for serving for almost 20 years as a state fire warden. Above all, Clarence devoted his life to the happiness of his wife, Anna; and his children and grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Anna; his son, James (Dawn) Nissila of Park Rapids, Minnesota; his two daughters, Pat (Ken) Sams and Kathy Bethel, all of Whitehall; six grandchildren, Kelly (Patti) Horton of Helena, Montana, Jason (Tracy) Horton of Park Rapids, Tracy (Danielle) Horton of Whitehall, Terry (April) Nissila of Farmington, Missouri, Jeremy (Amy) Nissila of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and LeAnn (Beau) Patterson of Springhill, Florida; five step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lila Perkins, Lina Collilo and Elsie Johnson; two brothers, Ernest and Harold; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Brent in 1989; and four sisters, Gertrude, Lila, Allie, and Sally; and one brother, Reino.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 27, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Sebeka with Rev. Mark Manning officiating. Soloist was Clair Erickson who sang, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art". Organist was Marge Kinnunen. Congregational hymns were "In The Garden" and "On Eagles Wings". The pallbearers were Gerhardt Goerke, Jim Nissila, Ken Sams, Kelly Horton, Jeremy Nissila and Jason Horton. Interment was at the West Lyons Cemetery, south of Nimrod. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cardini-Behrens Funeral Home of Menahga and Sebeka.
*Obituary courtesy of The Sebeka-Menahga Review Messenger
Clarence was born on August 10, 1918, in rural Menahga, Minnesota, to William and Edla (Salo) Nissila. It was in this same area that he attended country school and grew through his boyhood years. As a young man his family moved to Northeastern Minnesota and settled in the Cedar Valley area near Floodwood.
He entered the United States Navy where he proudly served his country in the Pacific Theatre of World War II stationed aboard the USS Rockbridge. His tour of duty was served in the South Pacific where his ship and crewmates were present during the battle of Iwo Jima.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Minnesota and settled near Nimrod where he met a pretty young lady named Anna Muriel Cassidy. The young couple was united in marriage on August 20, 1947. This union was blessed with four children: Pat, Brent, James and Kathy. Early in his marriage, Clarence gained employment working at the Co-op Garage in Menahga. He later moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where he worked for the J.D. Harold Construction Company and then moved with his family to the Iron Range where he worked in the mines as a welder.
In 1961, Clarence and his family returned to the Nimrod area where he engaged in farming and logging. Clarence enjoyed the hard but yet satisfying challenge of farming. He raised a fine herd of dairy cattle and spent long days in the fields raising the crops needed to feed his herd. Later, he worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fighting forest fires, witching wells for water sources for fighting fires and also helped maintain the area state campgrounds.
He and Anna moved to Western Montana in 2001 and settled near Whitehall where family members helped him and Anna build a new log home.
Clarence loved the out-of-doors especially when he could be hunting, fishing or trapping. This past fall, Clarence enjoyed hunting elk in the Montana Rockies near his home. Clarence enjoyed gardening, and watching the birds and wildlife at his Montana property. Clarence was gifted musically and taught himself to play the fiddle, accordian, mouth organ and mandolin. As a young man, he played with his father and several friends in an old-time band that performed at area functions. Clarence was active in his community. He was a member of the Nimrod Senior Citizens; a lifetime member of the American Legion Post of Sebeka, Minnesota; a former treasurer of Orton Township; and served as Master of the Orton Grange. He had been recognized by the State of Minnesota for serving for almost 20 years as a state fire warden. Above all, Clarence devoted his life to the happiness of his wife, Anna; and his children and grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Anna; his son, James (Dawn) Nissila of Park Rapids, Minnesota; his two daughters, Pat (Ken) Sams and Kathy Bethel, all of Whitehall; six grandchildren, Kelly (Patti) Horton of Helena, Montana, Jason (Tracy) Horton of Park Rapids, Tracy (Danielle) Horton of Whitehall, Terry (April) Nissila of Farmington, Missouri, Jeremy (Amy) Nissila of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and LeAnn (Beau) Patterson of Springhill, Florida; five step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lila Perkins, Lina Collilo and Elsie Johnson; two brothers, Ernest and Harold; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Brent in 1989; and four sisters, Gertrude, Lila, Allie, and Sally; and one brother, Reino.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 27, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Sebeka with Rev. Mark Manning officiating. Soloist was Clair Erickson who sang, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art". Organist was Marge Kinnunen. Congregational hymns were "In The Garden" and "On Eagles Wings". The pallbearers were Gerhardt Goerke, Jim Nissila, Ken Sams, Kelly Horton, Jeremy Nissila and Jason Horton. Interment was at the West Lyons Cemetery, south of Nimrod. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cardini-Behrens Funeral Home of Menahga and Sebeka.
*Obituary courtesy of The Sebeka-Menahga Review Messenger
Clarence W. Nissila, 87, of Whitehall, Montana, formerly of Nimrod, Minnesota, died on Sunday, January 22, 2006, at the St. James Health Care Center in Butte, Montana, following a short illness.
Clarence was born on August 10, 1918, in rural Menahga, Minnesota, to William and Edla (Salo) Nissila. It was in this same area that he attended country school and grew through his boyhood years. As a young man his family moved to Northeastern Minnesota and settled in the Cedar Valley area near Floodwood.
He entered the United States Navy where he proudly served his country in the Pacific Theatre of World War II stationed aboard the USS Rockbridge. His tour of duty was served in the South Pacific where his ship and crewmates were present during the battle of Iwo Jima.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Minnesota and settled near Nimrod where he met a pretty young lady named Anna Muriel Cassidy. The young couple was united in marriage on August 20, 1947. This union was blessed with four children: Pat, Brent, James and Kathy. Early in his marriage, Clarence gained employment working at the Co-op Garage in Menahga. He later moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where he worked for the J.D. Harold Construction Company and then moved with his family to the Iron Range where he worked in the mines as a welder.
In 1961, Clarence and his family returned to the Nimrod area where he engaged in farming and logging. Clarence enjoyed the hard but yet satisfying challenge of farming. He raised a fine herd of dairy cattle and spent long days in the fields raising the crops needed to feed his herd. Later, he worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fighting forest fires, witching wells for water sources for fighting fires and also helped maintain the area state campgrounds.
He and Anna moved to Western Montana in 2001 and settled near Whitehall where family members helped him and Anna build a new log home.
Clarence loved the out-of-doors especially when he could be hunting, fishing or trapping. This past fall, Clarence enjoyed hunting elk in the Montana Rockies near his home. Clarence enjoyed gardening, and watching the birds and wildlife at his Montana property. Clarence was gifted musically and taught himself to play the fiddle, accordian, mouth organ and mandolin. As a young man, he played with his father and several friends in an old-time band that performed at area functions. Clarence was active in his community. He was a member of the Nimrod Senior Citizens; a lifetime member of the American Legion Post of Sebeka, Minnesota; a former treasurer of Orton Township; and served as Master of the Orton Grange. He had been recognized by the State of Minnesota for serving for almost 20 years as a state fire warden. Above all, Clarence devoted his life to the happiness of his wife, Anna; and his children and grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Anna; his son, James (Dawn) Nissila of Park Rapids, Minnesota; his two daughters, Pat (Ken) Sams and Kathy Bethel, all of Whitehall; six grandchildren, Kelly (Patti) Horton of Helena, Montana, Jason (Tracy) Horton of Park Rapids, Tracy (Danielle) Horton of Whitehall, Terry (April) Nissila of Farmington, Missouri, Jeremy (Amy) Nissila of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and LeAnn (Beau) Patterson of Springhill, Florida; five step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lila Perkins, Lina Collilo and Elsie Johnson; two brothers, Ernest and Harold; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Brent in 1989; and four sisters, Gertrude, Lila, Allie, and Sally; and one brother, Reino.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 27, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Sebeka with Rev. Mark Manning officiating. Soloist was Clair Erickson who sang, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art". Organist was Marge Kinnunen. Congregational hymns were "In The Garden" and "On Eagles Wings". The pallbearers were Gerhardt Goerke, Jim Nissila, Ken Sams, Kelly Horton, Jeremy Nissila and Jason Horton. Interment was at the West Lyons Cemetery, south of Nimrod. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cardini-Behrens Funeral Home of Menahga and Sebeka.
*Obituary courtesy of The Sebeka-Menahga Review Messenger
Clarence was born on August 10, 1918, in rural Menahga, Minnesota, to William and Edla (Salo) Nissila. It was in this same area that he attended country school and grew through his boyhood years. As a young man his family moved to Northeastern Minnesota and settled in the Cedar Valley area near Floodwood.
He entered the United States Navy where he proudly served his country in the Pacific Theatre of World War II stationed aboard the USS Rockbridge. His tour of duty was served in the South Pacific where his ship and crewmates were present during the battle of Iwo Jima.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Minnesota and settled near Nimrod where he met a pretty young lady named Anna Muriel Cassidy. The young couple was united in marriage on August 20, 1947. This union was blessed with four children: Pat, Brent, James and Kathy. Early in his marriage, Clarence gained employment working at the Co-op Garage in Menahga. He later moved to Duluth, Minnesota, where he worked for the J.D. Harold Construction Company and then moved with his family to the Iron Range where he worked in the mines as a welder.
In 1961, Clarence and his family returned to the Nimrod area where he engaged in farming and logging. Clarence enjoyed the hard but yet satisfying challenge of farming. He raised a fine herd of dairy cattle and spent long days in the fields raising the crops needed to feed his herd. Later, he worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fighting forest fires, witching wells for water sources for fighting fires and also helped maintain the area state campgrounds.
He and Anna moved to Western Montana in 2001 and settled near Whitehall where family members helped him and Anna build a new log home.
Clarence loved the out-of-doors especially when he could be hunting, fishing or trapping. This past fall, Clarence enjoyed hunting elk in the Montana Rockies near his home. Clarence enjoyed gardening, and watching the birds and wildlife at his Montana property. Clarence was gifted musically and taught himself to play the fiddle, accordian, mouth organ and mandolin. As a young man, he played with his father and several friends in an old-time band that performed at area functions. Clarence was active in his community. He was a member of the Nimrod Senior Citizens; a lifetime member of the American Legion Post of Sebeka, Minnesota; a former treasurer of Orton Township; and served as Master of the Orton Grange. He had been recognized by the State of Minnesota for serving for almost 20 years as a state fire warden. Above all, Clarence devoted his life to the happiness of his wife, Anna; and his children and grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Anna; his son, James (Dawn) Nissila of Park Rapids, Minnesota; his two daughters, Pat (Ken) Sams and Kathy Bethel, all of Whitehall; six grandchildren, Kelly (Patti) Horton of Helena, Montana, Jason (Tracy) Horton of Park Rapids, Tracy (Danielle) Horton of Whitehall, Terry (April) Nissila of Farmington, Missouri, Jeremy (Amy) Nissila of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and LeAnn (Beau) Patterson of Springhill, Florida; five step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Lila Perkins, Lina Collilo and Elsie Johnson; two brothers, Ernest and Harold; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Brent in 1989; and four sisters, Gertrude, Lila, Allie, and Sally; and one brother, Reino.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 27, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Sebeka with Rev. Mark Manning officiating. Soloist was Clair Erickson who sang, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art". Organist was Marge Kinnunen. Congregational hymns were "In The Garden" and "On Eagles Wings". The pallbearers were Gerhardt Goerke, Jim Nissila, Ken Sams, Kelly Horton, Jeremy Nissila and Jason Horton. Interment was at the West Lyons Cemetery, south of Nimrod. Arrangements were under the direction of the Cardini-Behrens Funeral Home of Menahga and Sebeka.
*Obituary courtesy of The Sebeka-Menahga Review Messenger
Family Members
Siblings
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Gertrude Josephine Nissila Pulju
1912–1985
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Sally Sophie Nissila Jurva
1913–2003
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Allie Mary Nissila Thomas
1913–1987
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Lila Helen Komula Perkins
1917–2009
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Reino Robert Nissila
1921–2001
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Lila Nissila Curry
1923–1991
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Lina "Grandma" Nissila Colalillo
1925–2007
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Ernest Rueben "Ernie" Nissila
1928–2006
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Harold Floyd Nissila
1929–2008
Children
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