Clayton Wangsness, age 75, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Sunday, August 28, 2106 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn.
Clayton Elvin Wangsness was born on November 22, 21940 in Cresco, Iowa, the son of Elvin and Nina (Hjelle) Wangsness. He was baptized on December 8, 1940 at Calmar Lutheran Church and confirmed on May 20, 1956 at the Highland Lutheran Church. Clayton attended rural country schools and graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1959. He wa a member of the National Honor Society, chorus, band, track and football and was the homecoming king. He graduated from Iowa State University in Ames in 1964, majoring ag education. He returned home and farmed with his father and in the fall of 1965, he started the Voc Ag program at North Winneshiek School. He instructed Dwight Seegmiller, who became the Iowa State and National FFA President. He also taught Peg Armstrong, who became the first female to become the Iowa State FFA President. Clayton was the State Conservation Teacher of the Year in 1968. In 1970, he quit teaching to farm at home, which was too hard to both at the same time. He was united in marriage to Harriet Jevne on May 24, 1974 (they were introduced by Norma Wangsness at a Sons of Norway meeting).They had three children: Erik, Anne and Jon. He returned to North Winneshiek in the fall of 1984 and taught until June 2002. Clayton joined the Luren Singing Society at the age of 24, serving as secretary and president. He loved singing and the opportunity to travel to Norway in 1969. He received his Diamond Award in 2012 and later that year quit due to his tremors. Clayton served on the Winneshiek County Extension Council, county 4-H Committee, 4-H Farmer’s Home Administration Board, 4-H Adult Advisory Committee, County Soil Conservation Board and the United Way Fund Drive. Clayton was in the Minowa players first production of “Little Mary Sunshine” in 1975. He was a charter member of the Sons of Norway, serving as secretary. Clayton was a former member of the Highland Lutheran Church and currently, the Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church. Clayton and Harriet retired and moved into Decorah in 2013. He loved farming and always enjoyed going to the farm. He also loved music, reading, doing genealogy and playing Scrabble. Although, his greatest love was for his family and grandhildren.
Clayton is survived by his wife, Harriet Wangsness of Decorah; three children: Erik (Jenni) Wangsness of Decorah, Anne Wangsness (James Gentry) of Kernersville, N.C.; and Jon (Tessia) Wangsness of Decorah; two grandchildren, Cael and Kaci Wangsness; two sisters, Sharon Drew of Decorah and Rev. Barbara Wangsness and her husband, Rev. Natanael Lizarazo of Austin, Tex; Clayton and Harriet’s “adoptive” children, nephews and nieces: Glen (Karla) Jevne, Waukon, Iowa; Jim (Marsha) Jevne, Lawler, Iowa; Brenda (Steve) Kappes, Cresco, Iowa; Roger (JoDee) Jevne, Burr Oak, Iowa; Pam Humpal and Duane Hageman, Ossian, Iowa; nephews and nieces: Benjamin Kidd (Becca Andersen), Jennifer Kidd (Briggette Morris), Alicia Lizarazo (Rod Crosby), Jennifer (Brian) Sullivan, Melissa (Jason) Larson, Josh (Jenny) Jevne, Zach (Shannon) Jevne, and John Jevne, along with several great-nieces and nephews.
Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, Elvin and Nina (Hjelle) Wangsness, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Emil and Hilda Jevne; four brothers-in-law: Kenneth Jevne, Robert Jevne, Richard Jevne, and Patrick Drew.
A funeral service for Clayton was held 11 a.m. September 1, 2016 at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church, Dorchester, Iowa, with Rev. Allen Hermeier and Rev. Waldemar Gies officiating.
Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Decorah, Iowa, assisted the family with arrangements