Clarence Blonigen

Clarence A. Blonigen, age 84 of St. Martin, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Friday, January 27, 2023 at his home in St. Martin, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 1 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in St. Martin with Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Martin Parish Center in St. Martin. The St. Joseph’s Society, St. Martin Lions, Knights of Columbus, and Catholic United will pray a rosary at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the parish center.

Clarence Alfred Blonigen was born April 19, 1938 in St. Martin Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Mathias and Veronica (Mayers) Blonigen. He was united in marriage to Annella Hoffman on May 30, 1961 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz, Minnesota. Clarence farmed all of his life northwest of St. Martin. He enjoyed the new technologies of farming, machinery, and milking as all these advancements improved the farm. Clarence especially loved spending time in his John Deere tractors working the land.

He was a member of St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin, St. Joseph’s Society, St. Martin Lions, 4th Degree Queen of Peace Assembly Knights of Columbus in Sauk Centre, American Legion Post 101 in Melrose, Catholic United of St. Martin, and was an AMPI board member. Clarence enjoyed bowling, playing softball, fishing, playing cards, and supporting his family in the Tel-Stars 4-H Club. He enjoyed spending Sunday afternoons visiting with family, playing Sequence and 500 with his children and grandchildren. His greatest joy was spending time with his Schnickel Fritzes.

Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Annella Blonigen of St. Martin; children, Joyce (Mark) Nordby of Bloomington, Kevin Blonigen of St. Martin, Jeanne Blonigen of St. Cloud, Judy (Randy) Loecken of Freeport, Karla (Matt) Zierden of Albany, Kristie (Bob) Harren of Freeport, and Jason (Kristie Le) Blonigen of Albany; 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; sister, Tillie (Bernard) Bussmann of Melrose; sisters-in-law, Darlene Blonigen of St. Martin, Penny Blonigen of Wilmington, Massachusetts, Annette Blonigen of St. Martin; and in-laws, Bobby and Theresa Hoffman of Pierz and Lorraine Hoffman of Buckman.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, William; great-grandchildren Charlie and Finnian Lingl; brothers and sisters, Bernadine Arnzen-Jacobson, Dolores Pundsack, Raymond Blonigen, Silverius Blonigen, and Leander Blonigen; and numerous extended family members.

The family would like to send a special thank you Ecumen Hospice Litchfield for their special care and support.