Clarence H. Laber

Clarence H. Laber, 81 a Devils Lake coach and educator died on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake surrounded by his loving family. Mass of Christian Burial for Clarence will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake Fr. C.F. Wilhelm will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers: Roger Laber, Richard Mertens Craig Mertens, Jamie Hauser, Jesse Vilandre Hauser, Tee Jay Kurtz, Tyler Laber and Mason Laber Reading the Scriptures: Jesse Vilandre Hauser and Larry Laber Presenting the Gifts and Flowers of Love: Dani Hauser, Amy Kurtz, Reiley Laber, Cassie and Carley Axdahl, Lexi, Mallary and Hannah Klein and Allie and Ben Laber Altar Servers: Britton and Jacob Lagasse, Landon and Jacob Lang Clarence H. Laber was born on January 1, 1926 at Sykeston, North Dakota the son of Louis and Mathilda (Wild) Laber Sr. He was reared and educated in Sykeston attending St. Elizabeth School and Sykeston High School graduating in 1943. Clarence entered the United States Army on March 8, 1945 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota and served his country during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged on December 7, 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington with the rank of Technician 5th Grade. He returned to North Dakota and earned a Bachelors Degree in Education from Valley City State Teacher’s College in 1950 and in 1964 earned his Masters in Education from UND. On August 21, 1951, Clarence was united in marriage to Agnes Myer in Lanesboro, Minnesota. They moved to Cathay where he taught and coached for one year. They moved to Watford City where he started the wrestling program, taught and coached. In 1960, the family moved to Devils Lake where they would make their home through the remaining years. Clarence was a teacher and coach at Devils Lake High School from 1960 to 1966. He also started the Wrestling Program here. From 1966 until 1988, Clarence was part of the Administrative Staff of Lake Region State College. Agnes died on September 19, 2000. Clarence was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Devils Lake Elks Lodge and Eagles Lodge and also the Lions Club. In 2004, Clarence was inducted into the Teacher’s Hall of Fame of the Devils Lake Public Schools and is also in the Lake Region State College Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award. Clarence is survived by his Daughters: Carol Laber (Ed Volk) of Minot, ND Kathleen Hauser and her husband, Michael also of Minot Janelle Kurtz and her husband, Timothy, of Devils Lake Mary Axdahl and her husband, LeRoy also Devils Lake Deanna Klein and her husband, James, Minot Rebecca Quijano and her husband, Anthony of Croton on Hudson, New York Sons: Charles Laber and his wife, Kristy of Devils Lake Richard Laber and his wife, Lynn of Fargo Fifteen Grandchildren: Jamie (Jill) Hauser, Dani Hauser, Jesse (Stephanie) Vilandre Hauser; Amy and Tee Jay Kurtz; Cassandra and Carley Axdahl; Alexis, Mallary and Hannah Klein; Tyler, Reiley and Mason Laber; Alexandra and Benjamin Laber Five Great Grandchildren: Paige and Drew Hauser; Treyton Muller; Derwin and Davin Vilandre Hauser Brother: Ervin Laber and his wife, Joan of West Fargo Sister: Viola Sondag and her husband, Sylvester of Hopkins, Minnesota He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Agnes; brothers, Louis and Henry Laber.