Clarence Sargent

Life History for Clarence Howard Sargent
Clarence was born July 5, 1922, the third child of J. Howard and Ethel (Rose) Sargent of Crookston, MN, a farming family in the Red River Valley of northern Minnesota. As a boy, Clarence learned to farm from his father and he showed hogs at the Red River Valley Shows. He attended the Northwest School of Agriculture (now the University of MN, Crookston) in Crookston, MN, graduating in 1941.
Clarence married Edna Adell Paulsrud on October 19, 1945 in Nielsville, MN and together they farmed and raised Holstein cattle and Poland China hogs for several years until health issues caused him to give up farming. He then became a banker, first in St. Paul, MN for the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank before settling in Osakis, MN in 1958, where he worked as an agricultural loan officer for First National Bank of Osakis, eventually becoming vice president.
Clarence was a long time member and supporter of the First Presbyterian Church in Osakis, serving several terms as an elder of the church. He was president of the Osakis Chamber of Commerce, working to promote the city. He was also a member of the initial search committee for bringing a nursing home facility to Osakis and was proud of that success. He was an original member of the Osakis Lions Club, served terms as the local Salvation Army rep, as president of the State 4-H Federation and also was on the Northwest School of Agriculture Alumni Board. In addition, Clarence belonged to the Valley Dairyman's Association, the Douglas County representative for the Glacial Ridge Trail and was also the co-chair for the Osakis Achievement Days.
Over the years Clarence has enjoyed bowling, golfing, hunting, fishing and woodworking. In recent years, poor vision and hearing had curtailed those activities. Clarence was a strong supporter of the local school, especially as a fan at many of the sporting events and the fine arts. The Sargent's also supported many local charities and scholarships. Clarence and his wife enjoyed several wonderful trips. They traveled to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, England, Alaska and took a Rhine River Cruise. Clarence also traveled twice to Africa to photograph wild animals and to Italy on an agricultural tour.
Clarence is survived by his wife of 67 years, Edna Sargent of Osakis; a son, James (Diane) Sargent of Brookfield, WI, three daughters, Margaret (John) Gunderson of Detroit Lakes, MN, Diana Moon of Fargo, ND and Janna (Dennis) Warcup of Fargo, ND; 4 grandchildren, David (Elaina) Moon of Yakima, WA, Elizabeth (Robert) Engle of St. Louis, MO, Katherine (Zachary) Sattler of Milwaukee, WI and Deborah Moon of Seattle, WA; a sister, Marlys (Orvis) Engelstad of Florence, AL.
Preceding him in death are his parents, a brother, J. Edward Sargent and two sisters, Lois (Ray) Smith and Marion (William) Barron.
Funeral services for Clarence will be held on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 2:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Osakis with Rev. Tim Sutton officiating. Special reflections were led by Pastor Lois Burkart. Organist is Ellen Bangtson. Honorary bearers are Don Enger, Bob Ferris, Dennis Leaunart, George Bischoff, James Adams, James Carpenter, Lillian Clark and Helen Botzet. Active bearers are Chub Hensley, Jason Leaunart, Wayne Olson, Mark Reicks, Ron Eldred and Gary Mikkelson. Additional visitation will be held at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston, MN from 11 - 1 pm on Friday followed with burial at the Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston, MN.
Arrangements by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN and Stenshoel - Houske Funeral Home in Crookston, MN.