Clarence L. Erickson, 91 of Bowman ND, loving stepfather, step grandfather, and friend, passed away December 27th, 2010 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck ND. Memorial Service held at Bowman Lutheran Church, January 14th, 2011 at 2pm with Pastor Charles Swanson officiating.
Clarence was born Sept. 22nd, 1919, the son of Eric and Frankie Erickson. As a young man, he started farming with his dad on the home place, where he would live and take over the farm, raising cattle and sheep.
In 1948 Clarence married, and to that union, four children were born; Curtis, Carol, Craig and Colin. Eventually, Clarence divorced and then married Clara Olsen, on July 28th 1981. Pastor Galen Strand performed their wedding ceremony.
Clarence and Clara enjoyed traveling and having friends go with them. With Clarence in the driver seat, and Clara, sitting in the middle, close to Clarence, they looked like lovebirds, everywhere they went. They went on long site seeing and gambling trips, from Idaho for a visit, and on to Jackpot, Elko, and Vegas. They finally started leaving a note on the kitchen table to tell the kids where they were, since a lot of their trips were spur of the moment. They enjoyed going to Baker and Ludlow to play the machines, have a beer or two, and visit with everyone they knew. If the Pearly Shells were playing some place, you could bet that they were there to dance, and listen to good music with good friends.
Clarence said the best years of his life were spent with Clara and his extended family! Clarence retired from farming in 1985, but had kept a few cattle until 2002, when he said the cows were getting old and had to be sold.
Clarence greatly enjoyed all his time with his stepchildren, Dean (Sue), Bobby (Clee), Martin Jr. (Deb), Larry, Punky Bergquist, and Ardyce (Phil) Menager. With his extended family, he had 17 Grandkids, and 22 Great grandkids.
Clarence lived with Dean and Sue on the farm from November to mid March, when he moved to Bismarck and lived with Punky until Oct. 20th, 2010.
Clarence is survived by his step children, grandkids, and great grandkids, his children and three sisters, Nancy, Edith, and Cora, and by two sister-in-laws, Lorraine and Bettie.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Clara, who passed away on Sept. 2nd, 2009. Also by two sisters, Laura, and Florance, and three brothers, Vern, Marvin and Melvin.
Burial will be at the Bowman Cemetery, next to his wife Clara, in the spring.

Memorial are suggested to the Bowman Lutheran Church.