Clayton Newgard

Clayton Vernon Newgard was born to Selmer C. and Anna (Rachuy) Newgard on April 20, 1924 in Hills, Minnesota where his father owned and operated a bank. Clayton’s father also owned grocery and hardware stores in several towns so the family moved frequently. When they moved to Ashton, MN Clayton attended school there. In 1935, his father decided to farm some land in Pipestone County, MN so Clayton continued his education at Pipestone High School. After his graduation in 1942, he joined his brother Donald, and his father in the family farming operation. In 1945, he was drafted into the service and joined the U.S. Navy and served at Camp Perry near Williamsburg, West Virginia and also in Washington D.C., where he was in public relations. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, he returned to work on the family farm near Pipestone and continued his duty in the Navy Reserve for ten years. On July 5, 1952 he was united in marriage to Mary Stoltenberg at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls, SD. From this union, they had four children. Following their marriage, they lived on the farm in Gray Township and continued the farming operation with his dad and brother. At one time, they farmed land from Lake Benton, MN to Pipestone and had 125 Hereford cows. In 1975, Clayton’s son Tom, joined him in the farming operation. Mary preceded him in death on Oct. 13, 1996. After her death, he continued to live on the farm. On January 23, 1999 he married Veronica (Vera) Farrell and they resided in Pipestone, MN, St. Petersburg, FL, and Okoboji, IA. Clayton went to his heavenly home on Sunday, August 13, 2017 at the age of 93 years, 3 months and 23 days.

Clayton was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone and held many offices in the church. He had many fond memories of working with his father building the new church in 1953. He was a 65 year member of the Masonic Lodge, a member of The Shriners, and a member of The Michael Boock American Legion Post 6 in Pipestone. Clayton enjoyed the lake and would drive the boat for hours pulling his kids, friends’ kids and eventually grandkids. He also loved to fish and play golf. Clayton was a devoted father and grandfather who cherished watching his grandchildren at their many sporting events.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Veronica Newgard of Pipestone, MN; his four children, Mark (Marie) Newgard of Collinsville, OK, Tom (Sandi) Newgard of Pipestone, MN, Lynn (Dave) Mayo of Glenwood, MN, and Rob (Rhonda) Newgard of Omaha, NE; 11 grandchildren, Greg (Katie) Newgard, Eric (Candace) Newgard, Wendi (Kelly) Weber, Kerri (Monte) Hoover, T.J. (Angela) Newgard, Kati (Tim) Bobeldyk, Wade (special friend Megan) Newgard, Kristie (Nat) Boyer, Neil (Ieva) Mayo, Travis Newgard and Taylor Newgard; 16 great grandchildren, Mitchell, McCaden, Maddox, Avery, Mylee, Isiah, Talia, Kenslee, Jaxson, Elias, Grant, Jerrett, Bishop, Keedon, Emma, Zach, Kelsey, Henry, and Summer; three step-children, Steven (Cindy) Farrell of Marshall, MN, Susan (Paul) Erickson of Sioux Falls, SD, Anne (David) Broderius of Hector, MN, four step-grandchildren, Christopher (Heather) Farrell, Jennifer Farrell, Taylor (special friend Kayla) Broderius and Jack Broderius and three step great grandchildren Jackson, Braxton, and Max. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary; his parents; and his brother, Donald.