Clayton M. West, 92, of Fertile, MN passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Clayton was born on November 28, 1929, at his family’s rural home in Rindal, MN to his parents Carl and Mamie (Anderson) West. He attended rural school near Rindal in a one-room school through the 8th grade. He graduated from Fertile High School in 1947.
Clayton met the love of his life, Mary Arlene Campbell of Big Fork, MN, in 1954, when Clayton got out of the U.S. Army. They were married on September 9, 1955, in St. Paul, MN. They lived in St. Paul for two years where they had their first child, Terence, at the hospital where Mary was employed. Clayton and Mary then left St. Paul and moved to Burbank, CA where Clayton worked as a milkman. While there, they had another son, Timothy, and later a daughter, Michelle. After a few years, they decided to move back to the family farm in Fertile, MN. Besides farming, Clayton did seasonal harvest campaign work for American Crystal Sugar in Crookston for 33 years.
Clayton served in the U.S. Army for 2 years and was stationed in Korea and the Pacific. He attained the rank of sergeant in the 25th infantry division and was honorably discharged in 1954. Clayton was also a proud member of the Gary American Legion Post.
Both Clayton and Mary loved their time together at Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church, making many close friends. They also greatly enjoyed their fall trips to the North Shore of Lake Superior to take in the beauty of God’s creation. Clayton enjoyed golfing in his later years and was supportive of the Sandhill River Golf Course in Fertile.
Clayton’s pride and joy were his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He never shied away from an opportunity to share stories and photos of them with friends and anyone he came across in the Fertile community.
Clayton is survived by his children: son Terence (Roxanne) West of Moorhead, MN, and their children and their families; Anthony West of Moorhead, MN; Sharell (Jeff) Wilson and their children Mason (Bailee) West and their son Talon of Kalona, IA, and Josiah, Jordan, and Journey Wilson of Hudson, WI: son Timothy West of Fertile, MN, and his children and their families; Allison (Matthew) Baker and their daughters Reese and Willa of Moorhead, MN; Karlee West of Fargo, ND; and Tanner (Elizabeth) West of Crookston, MN: daughter Michelle (Marc) Holman of Pembina, ND, and their children and their families; Ryan Holman of Bismarck, ND; and Kayla (Luke) Grittner and their son Abraham of Glyndon, MN. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Mary Arlene; parents, Carl and Mamie West; and sisters, Wahnita LaDuke and Faye Garrett.
Memorials are preferred to Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church in Mentor, MN.
Funeral: 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 29, 2022, at Maple Bay Free Lutheran Church, Rural Mentor, MN.
Visitation: One hour before the funeral at the church.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home
Fertile, Minnesota
