Clarence Striha, 84, Butte, died Friday, October 29, 2010, in a Minot hospital.

Clarence was born December 6, 1925, on the family farm located in Dogden Township of McLean County, south of Butte, ND, to Mike and Ella Striha. He received his formal education in the Dogden/Butte Township School.

Clarence joined the US Air Force in December 1951, where he was in training to become a pilot. His honorable service ended due to his family's needs on the farm causing him to return to his roots in Butte in 1953.

Clarence was united in marriage to Doris Boyko on June 6, 1954, in Butte. They spent their entire lives on the family farm, where they raised small grains in addition to running a beef and dairy cattle operation over the years. Clarence was a gifted mechanic and an inventor of sorts, often machining items to make his daily tasks on the farm a little easier. Doris passed away on December 19, 1993.

Clarence was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Butte where he held various positions throughout his lifetime. He was proud of the fact that he could fix anything, but most proud of his five grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who shared in his life.

He is survived by children, Terry (Laurie) Striha, Greenville, IN and Deborah (Ronald) Logan, Bismarck, ND; grandchildren, Leighann and Steven Striha and Nathan, Casey and Bailey Logan and numerous nieces and special nephews, Randall, Delvin and Michael Striha, who, with their kindness and help, he lived his wish to remain on his farm.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Doris, daughter, Sandra Striha, an infant brother, brothers, Ed and Alvin Striha and sisters, Alma Dislevy and Arlene Murrow.

Graveside service : 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2010, at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Visitation: Tuesday, November 2, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are preferred.