Thief River Falls – Clarence Amiot, 88, Thief River Falls, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at his home, at the age of 88.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, with Rev. John Golv and Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Casket bearers include Clarence’s grandchildren. Interment will follow at Bethania Cemetery, Newfolden.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m, with a 7p.m. Prayer Service on Friday, October 7, 2016 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Clarence Amiot, age 88, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully, in his sleep at his home in Thief River Falls, with his wife, Betty, by his side.
Clarence Amiot was born July 5, 1928 in Gentilly, to Armand and Liza (Corbin) Amiot. He was baptized at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly and was confirmed at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. He attended elementary school at a rural Gentilly schoolhouse. His family moved to Thief River Falls, where he attended St. Bernard’s Catholic School and Lincoln High School.
In 1946, Clarence enlisted in the United States Army Air Force, where he achieved rank of sergeant and was voted president of the NCO Club. While stationed in Guam, he served as a flight surgeon’s medical assistant, performing land and sea rescue missions. Clarence was honorably discharged from the military in 1949.
On Aug. 7, 1954, Clarence was united in marriage to Betty Bakke at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. They made their home in Thief River Falls, where they raised their daughter, Shari, and sons, Douglas and Bryan. Betty was his loving wife for 62 years, a length of commitment made possible by his strong will to live and Betty’s devotion to his health care. He was very grateful to have enjoyed so many more special memories by being able to live a long, full life.
Following Clarence’s discharge from the military, he worked for the Soo Line Railroad from 1949-1969. He then opened an antique store in Thief River Falls, and continued to be self-employed through various businesses: a tree service, excavating service, exterior painting, and snow removal.
Clarence held memberships at Zion Lutheran Church, American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post 117, and the Thief River Falls VFW Post 2793. He was the manager of the Thief River Falls Thieves hockey team during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.
Clarence loved spending time with his family and going for car rides with Betty to visit friends and relatives. One of his favorite pastimes was gathering at the hunting cabin with family and dear friends – Clarence and Diane Dahl. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, dancing, reading, watching sports and news on TV, gardening, bird watching, and collecting antiques.
Clarence had a wonderful sense of humor. He was always optimistic, generous, and was a friend to all. He showed great pride in both his and his family’s military service and he enjoyed recounting his many life’s adventures.
Clarence is survived by his wife, Betty, Thief River Falls; daughter: Shari (Mark) Larson of Thief River Falls; sons: Douglas (Dana) Amiot of Thief River Falls, and Bryan (Melinda) Amiot of Staples; 11 grandchildren: Carissa (Charles) Larson Conduah, Benjamin (Holly) Larson, Rebecca (Dustin) Larson Isaak, Andrew Larson, Stephanie Amiot, Kourtney Amiot, Karee Amiot, Syrie Amiot, Rachel (Matt Kaiser) Amiot, Katie (Trevor) Enberg, and Tiffany (Ryan) Johnson; great-granddaughter: Ella Enberg and a great-grandson due in November. He is also survived by his sister: Ursula Dahl; brother-in-law: Dennis (Joanie) Bakke; sisters-in-law: Vi Amiot, Tessie Amiot, Ann Katarzy, Vernice Nelson, and Janette Weber, as well as many dear nieces, nephews, and friends. He was also survived by his sister, Theresa Dougherty, who passed away on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Lloyd, Gilbert, Dewey, Harry, Marvin, Leodore, Armand, Roland, and Eli in infancy; sisters: Rosalie Hanson, Elaine Kjonaas, and Vicki Hermes; brothers-in-law: Orville Dahl, Ray Dougherty, Duane Hanson, Ray Kjonaas, Jerry Hermes, Douglas Weber, and Leo Nelson.
Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.