Clayton C. Barendt

Clayton C. Barendt, 67 a life long resident, farmer and rancher of the Webster, ND area died on Sunday, June 22, 2008 in Billings County in the Badlands of North Dakota. He had just spent a week riding horseback in the Medora Badlands with his lifelong friend. Mass of Christian Burial for Clayton will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. Dale Kinzler celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Scripture Service and time of sharing at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Clayton will be his grandsons: Tanner, Brandon, Jeremy, Jacob, Justin, Austin and Jacob. Honorary Bearers are all of Clayton’s dear and many friends and all those who loved him. Gift Bearers will be Clayton’s granddaughters: Morgan, Hannah, Amber, Alyssa, Chelsey, Abigail and Emilie. Music will be provided by JoDee Lagein and Jo Duffey, soloist, accompanied by Eunice Throlson. Clayton Charles was born on December 21, 1940 in Devils Lake, ND the son of Clinton and Gladys (Johnson) Barendt. Clayton was raised and educated in Webster and would make Webster his home for most of his life. He graduated from Webster High School in 1958. This was the last year seniors would ever graduate from that High School. He worked at various jobs including working with his cousin in the potato house in Webster, as a laborer in Minnesota and as a logger in Oregon. Clayton married Colleen Weirick on October 15, 1960 and they established their home on his parents’ farm. He married Barbara Vaith on July 2, 1990. Clayton would make farming, ranching and raising horses his life long work. His love of the land and his passion for horses were what truly defined what life was about. While farming, Clayton trucked cattle for Lake Region Livestock for many years, as well as most of the farmers and ranchers in the area. He traveled most all of North Dakota and was known by almost every rancher in the state. Since 1988, Clayton has worked as a farm hand for several neighbors, including Richard Volk and John Baker. His passion for horses started at a young age. Clayton was very active in the horse show circuit himself and also taught his daughter, Nancy how to show horses. They traveled around the state for many summers and were winners of many trophies and ribbons. He also loved trail riding and rodeos. He made sure that if there was a youngster who needed help to get to a horse event, he was there with the trailer, equipment and words of encouragement. The cowboy in him was ever present in his love for Western movies, especially John Wayne movies and reading every Louie L’Amour book at least a dozen times. In his later years, Clayton really enjoyed ice fishing, bear and deer hunting with his children. Clayton was a former member of the North Dakota Horse Show Association and was at present a member of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and the Fort Totten Trail Riders. Clayton is survived by his wife, Barb of Webster Son: Mike Barendt and his wife, Roxanne of Devils Lake Daughter: Nancy Kurtz and her husband, Doug also of Devils Lake Step Daughter: Lisa Aanenson and her husband, Brian of Gary, MN Step Son: Doug Vaith and his fiancé, Sarah of Aneta, ND Grandchildren: Tanner, Morgan, Hannah; Amber, Alyssa, Brandon; Jeremy, Jacob, Justin, Chelsey; Austin, Abigail, Emilie, Jacob; Great Granddaughter: Lydia Mother of Mike and Nancy, Colleen Barendt of Devils Lake Father-In-Law: Glenn Weirick, Devils Lake Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law: Evelyn and Art Burcher, Medford, Oregon Special Family Friends and Best Friends to Clayton: Emerson and Lynette Wood, Cole Harbor, ND Many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Jeannette Weirick.