Clayton Orlando Holen, 91, Minot and formerly of Fargo died on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 in a Minot nursing home.

Clayton was born on June 6, 1918 on the family farm near Max, North Dakota to Louis and Elna (Sander) Holen. He was reared on the family farm and educated at rural schools in that area prior to moving to Minot in 1934 where he finished his schooling. As a young adult he was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from 1936 until 1939. Clayton married Bessie Newman on March 23, 1940 in Minot. They made their home in Minot where he was employed as a machinist's helper by the Great Northern Railroad from 1942 until 1956 except for the time he spent from 1944-1945 as a member of the U.S. Army in Europe.

In addition, he served as the maintenance engineer of Zion Lutheran Church - Minot for fifteen years prior to his employment by the General Services Administration of the U.S. Government as a maintenance engineer of their buildings in Fargo from 1970 until his retirement. He returned to Minot in 1981 following his retirement. Bessie died on September 24, 1994. Clayton had been a resident of Trinity Homes for the past two years.

Clayton was a member of Zion Lutheran Church - Minot where he was a member of the Men's Club and served as an usher and Luther League counselor. He was a member of the Eagles Aerie, United Transportation Union, Minot Curling Club, and the VFW. He especially enjoyed bowling, curling and hunting pheasants.

Clayton's surviving family includes his children: Janice Lorentzen of Bismarck, Sharon (Larry) Healton of Wichita Falls, TX, and David Holen of Denver, CO; grandchildren: Alynn Terry, Leslie Healton, and Michelle Lorentzen; great grandchildren: Kristen Martin and Alexes Healton; great great-grandchildren: Erin and Madison Riley; sisters: Luella Kriedeman of Seattle and Erma Kriedeman and Mardine Galusha, both of Minot; brother: Norman Holen of San Pedro, CA; a very special niece Phoebe Haugeberg of Minot and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Clayton was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters: Verona Schaffer and Diane Bower and brothers: Lawrence, Morgan, Richmond, and Wilfred, granddaughter: Lisa Lorentzen, as well as an infant brother and sister.

Funeral Service: Monday, May 3, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation: Sunday from noon until 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home- Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Trinity Hospice, Minot.