Clarence Davis Keen, age 95 years 11 months, died Aug. 13, 2005 at Green Acres Country Care in North Branch, Minn.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, at Spring Lake Lutheran Church, four miles west of North Branch, just off Hwy. 95. Visitation is one hour prior to service at the church. Burial will be in Spring Lake Cemetery. Arrangements by Grandstrand Funeral Home, North Branch.

Clarence was born Sept. 21, 1909. Near New Richland, Waseca County, Minn., to Cornelius George and Caroline Maria (Johnson) Keen. Both of his parents were Norwegian-Americans descended from Minnesota territorial pioneers. Clarence grew up on the family farm with his brother and eight sisters. Two brothers had died before his birth. His mother died when Clarence was only 5 years old.

Clarence was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. During summers he attended Catechism taught in Norwegian to preserve the culture and faith of his ancestors.

Clarence was educated at the country school on the family farm, at times taught by his sister Florence. He graduated from New Richland High School in 1927. He excelled in all sports, particularly football. After graduation Clarence moved to south Minneapolis where he lived with his sister and her family and attended business college.

In 1932 he married Hilda Christina Nelson. They made their home in Minneapolis. Later they moved to Bloomington and ultimately to Oxford Township of Isanti County upon his retirement in 1972.

Clarence was employed by Ford Motor Company in his youth and later ran a Husky Oil gas station. During World War II he served as a guard at the New Brighton defense plant. After the war he worked for Twin City Rapid Transit as a streetcar motor man. In later years he was a bus driver with Metro Transit.

After retirement Clarence enjoyed more than thirty years on his hobby farm where he raised cows, horses, llamas, sheep, ducks, chickens, geese and other critters. He enjoyed his yard and his large garden. He spend many hours following sports broadcasts and liked to fish and hunt. He was also very interested in public affairs and was always well-read and informed on political matters.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, eight sisters, three brothers, and an infant son.

He is survived by his wife Hilda, children: Richard (Kathryn), Barbara, Randy (Susan); six grandchildren and their families and numerous nieces and nephews.

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