Clifford Kvale, 85, Minot, died Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in a Minot hospital.

Clifford was born May 10, 1929, to Mons and Eva (Opsahl) Kvale. He grew up on a farm southwest of Crosby, ND, and was educated in the nearby country school. Clifford assisted his family on the farm in his teens and was often found assisting neighbors with their farming operations.

Clifford was drafted into the United States military on October 18, 1951. He served in the Marine Corps for two years and was awarded a Purple Heart. Clifford was honorably discharged from active duty service on October 17, 1953.

Clifford returned to Crosby, ND following his military service. He spent two winters at Hanson's Mechanical School in Fargo, ND. He came to Minot in 1955 and gained employment at Homebuilders Lumber Company, where he met Sylvia Wehrman. They were united in marriage on September 3, 1955 in Donnybrook, ND. They made their home in Minot, where they raised their family of five.

He went to work for Peter Kiewit and Sons for a time, driving gravel truck while building the runways of the Minot Air Force Base. In 1957, he began his career at Fargo Glass and Paint, working in the paint department moving up to the position of glazier for the next twenty-seven years. In addition to his full-time position, Clifford began driving part-time for several cab companies in Minot. He began farming the Wehrman family farmland, with interests located southwest of Donnybrook in 1976. He retired in 1998.

Clifford was a member of Vincent United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post #26, both of Minot. He enjoyed walking the dog, taking in programs on the television and took on the computer in card games. He will be missed by all who shared in his life.

Clifford is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Sylvia, Minot; children, Joanne Kvale, Minot, Linda (Bill) Sand, Burlington, ND, Kevin (Lynne) Kvale, Norwich, ND; grandchildren, Keith (Penny) Friedrich, New Franklin, MO, Brian (Robin) Friedrich, Columbia, MO and Mathew Friedrich, Boonville, MO; great-grandchildren, Tori Brown, New Franklin, MO, Breann Friedrich, New Franklin, MO and Dalton Friedrich , New Franklin, MO, and Clayton Friedrich, Columbia, MO; siblings, Emelia Satre, Helena, MT, Hazel (Pat) Engberg, Williston, ND, Margaret Henderson, Stuart Draft, VA, and Kenneth (Marion) Kvale, Arizona.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, daughters, Ardyce Friedrich and Sandra Marceaux, granddaughter, DeAnn Friedrich, grandson, Justin Kvale, two infant sisters and sisters, Mary Widmaier and Eleanor Hinrickson.

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Friday, March 6, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the Vincent Methodist Church Foundation or to the Souris Valley Animal Shelter, both of Minot.