Clarence Smelter, 96, Sauk Rapids

August 17, 1918-November 24, 2014

Clarence Smelter, age 96, of Sauk Rapids, died Monday, November 24, 2014 at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Monday, December 1, 2014 at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Gilman. The Rev. Leo Moenkedick will officiate. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Foley American Legion, Post 298..

Friends may call from 4 to 8 Sunday at the Foley Funeral Home in Foley and one hour prior to the service at the church. Parish Prayers will be 5 PM Sunday evening at the funeral home. Service with Dignity provided by the Foley Funeral Home.

Clarence Smelter was born August 17, 1918 in Gilman, MN to Joseph and Anna (Spiczka) Smelter. He married Marcella 'Sue' Kampa on June 5, 1943 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Duelm. The couple lived most of their married life in Gilman. Clarence worked for many years at Grow's Feed Store in Foley and for Chmielewski's Jack & Jill grocery store. He worked for Franklin Manufacturing and also worked as a carpenter. Clarence enjoyed wood working and watching Twins baseball and playing 500 and recently was an avid "search-a-word" puzzle player. Clarence lived in Sauk Rapids since his retirement in 1989. He was a proud member of the Foley American Legion, SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church.

He is survived by his sons and daughter; LeRoy 'Lee' (Pat), Duelm; Roger (Cookie), Corona, CA; Connie (Bob) Connors, St. Cloud, 6 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren and sisters, Betty Swedziak, Sartell and Pat Studniski, Rogers.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Marcella 'Sue', September 7, 2006 and infant daughter, Shirley and sisters and brothers, Celestine 'Tina' Plombon, Irene Jurek, Severin, Delores Dumonceaux and infant brothers and sisters and great grandaughter, Brittany Westgard.