Clarence Fischbach

Clarence A. Fischbach, age 95 of Sauk Centre, died Wednesday, October 24, 2012 surrounded by his family at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 29 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. James Statz officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. The Sauk Centre Seniors will pray at 4:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 5:15 p.m. and the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor guard at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Clarence Arnold Fischbach was born April 21, 1917 in Marion, North Dakota to John and Christine (Hemmesch) Fischbach. He resided in Melrose and worked for Kraft for many years before moving to New Munich. Clarence served in the U.S. Army during WWII and survived the Normandy invasion, as well as four other battles in the European Theatre. Clarence married Elizabeth "Betty" Raeker on December 29, 1945 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. The couple then relocated to Sauk Centre in 1972. Clarence drove truck for Worms Ready Mix for 31 years, retiring in 1979. After retirement, he worked for Sauk Centre Ready Mix for three years, volunteered at the Senior Centre, the Senior Citizen building at the county fair, and at the local food shelf.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, volunteered and prayed in the Adoration Chapel for 11 years, Sauk Centre Seniors, and the Schanhaar-Otte VFW post 7050 in Melrose. Clarence was an avid Twins fan and woodworker.

Survivors include his children, Kathy (Bart) Gibson of St. Cloud, Irene (Richard "Dick") Rachey of Robbinsdale, Eugene (Carol) Fischbach of St. Cloud, Mary (Bill) Crenna of Garrison, and Geraldine (Darrell) Herges of Milaca; brothers and sisters, Aurelia Fuchs of Paynesville, Vernon Fischbach of Minneapolis, Doris Hess of Paynesville, Nick Fischbach of Paynesville, and Arlene Raeker of Minneapolis; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and many loving relatives and friends.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Fischbach on July 25, 2001; infant son, Arthur Fischbach; and brothers, Harold Fischbach, Ralph Fischbach, and Jerome Fischbach.

Serving as bearers will be his grandchildren, Greg Fischbach, Brad Fischbach, Troy Rachey, Brian Crenna, Chad Crenna, Kelly Crenna, Rachel Determan, Lori Washington, Connie Herges, Julie Herges, Charlotte Young, and Missy Merchant.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the American Diabetes Association or the local food shelf.