Clemens " Clem" F. Schaaf, 89, of Bowman, ND, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2015 near Bowman, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman. Fr. David Morman will celebrate the Mass with Burial to follow in the St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. There will be a Rosary and Vigil Service on Monday, July 20, 2015 at the St. Charles Catholic Church beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Clem F. Schaaf was born on September 18th, 1925, in southwest North Dakota to Val (Sr.) and Barbara Schaaf. He was the youngest of four children until his little brother Bernie was born. When Clem was 17 years old, "he heeded the call to service" during World War II. Clem was inducted into the United States Navy on May 24th, 1943, and served until he was honorably discharged on May 29th, 1946. Clem served aboard two different naval vessels during his tour of duty. He served aboard the USS Tomahawk and later aboard the USS Golden City. Clem participated in numerous "Pacific" campaigns during his years in the Navy. His operational cruises included Ulith, the Carolina Islands, Eniwetok Island, the Marshall Islands, Kerama Island, and Okinawa. Clem often talked about his ship being anchored near the Battleship USS Missouri during the signing of the Japanese surrender at the end of hostilities in the Pacific Theatre of Action. Clem was very proud of his military service and passed that patriotism along to his family. Throughout his military service, Clem never lost his love of home and family. During the war, he once wrote a letter home to his parents in which he commented, "When I get home, I will never leave Buffalo Springs again"! He held true to that statement!

After his military service, Clem returned to the Bowman area to pursue farming which was his lifelong passion. "Farming" was definitely his calling in life. Clem met the love of his life in Fryburg, North Dakota, in 1948. Clem and Maggie (Heiser) Schaaf were married on May 17th, 1949. At the time of Clem's death, they had been married for 66 years. Clem and Maggie are the parents of six children; Rod (Bowman, ND), Bob (Bowman, ND), Betty (Gillette, WY.), Richard (Mandan, ND), Marie (died at birth), and Randy (Mead, CO). "Family" was always a priority on the Schaaf Farm!! Clem and Maggie also enjoyed many wonderful years being a part of "the neighborhood" (Talbot Township) and they would often comment how lucky they were to have such great neighbors. They were truly blessed with the finest neighbors that anybody could ask for! They always extended a helping hand to anybody who needed it, and in return, they were also the recipients of helping hands from their neighbors.

Clem was preceded in death by his father, Val Schaaf Sr., his mother, Barbara Schaaf, his sister Elizabeth Hecker, his brother Val Schaaf, and his brother, Bernie Schaaf.
Clem is survived by his wife, Maggie Schaaf, his sister Josephine Kaczmarek of Bowman ND, his son Rodney (and Maggie) Schaaf of Bowman ND, his son Robert Schaaf of Bowman ND, his daughter Betty (and Larry) Hansen of Gillette, WY, his son Richard (and Janet) of Mandan ND, and his son Randy (and Lisa) Schaaf of Mead, CO. Clem is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Services in charge of the arrangements.