Clarence Paurus

Clarence William Paurus passed away on March 7, 2026, the age of 97.

He was the third child of William and Hilda Paurus, he was born on April 13, 1928, in Paddock Township (Sebeka) MN. He grew up there on the farm. When he started school, he had to learn how to speak English, for at home they spoke Finnish. He graduated from Sebeka High School class of 1945. Right after graduation in 1945 he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was only 17 years old at the time. World War II he got out in 1949. That summer he met the love of his life Marcella Borth. He was called back to serve in the Korean war 1951-1952. He served on these Destroyers' USS Prairie AD -15, USS Rowan DD-405 and the USS Collett DD-730 in the South Pacific.

On August 26, 1950, Clarence married the love of his life Marcella. They bought the farm in 1952, which they farmed for the rest of his life. They were married for 71 years. They had four children, three boys and one girl.

Clarence wore many hats throughout his life, he cut wood, and cut the right aways for the powerlines, worked for the fisheries trapping fish, built many of the roads around Wolf Lake, Menahga and Sebeka. He served on many boards as well such as school board, town board, creamery board, and church board. He was a gun safety instructor for many years. He taught all his kids and some of his grandkids also. He was in law enforcement for 34 years; the last ten years he was the first Finnish Sheriff of Becker Co. Clarence was a lifetime member of the Wolf Lake VFW holding many positions there as well. Clarence and Marcella managed the Wolf Lake Liquor store for many years. He was also a mechanic at the Wolf Lake Garage (Nobles) and delivered gas and fuel around the area.

Most of all he loved his family. He loved deer hunting with the kids and his grandchildren. Boy, the stories that have been told. He always loved to mow the yard. It always looked like a park.

He is survived by his three sons: Nolan (Betty) Paurus of Menahga; Byron (Sally) Paurus of Frazee; and Terry (Bonnie) Paurus of Ottertail; daughter: Sherri (Bill) Schaefer of Wadena; thirteen grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and the family is growing with two more on the way.

Clarence is preceded in death by his wife: Marcella Paurus, of 71 years; daughter-in-law Judy Paurus; grandson: Jamie Paurus; parents: William and Hilda Paurus; brothers: Norman, Donny, and Floyd; sisters, Violet, Hazel, Doris, Carol and Gladys; and his in-laws: Albert and Marie Borth.

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