Funeral services for Clarence Stelter, age 84, longtime New Leipzig, ND, businessman will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig, ND. Pastor John Amundson will officiate and burial with full military honors will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in New Leipzig.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. followed by a family service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig on Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Clarence W. Stelter was born on November 10, 1929 to August and Elizabeth (Seidle) Stelter on a farmstead two miles south of New Leipzig in Grant County, ND. He was welcomed by two older sisters, Frieda and Julia. He attended country schools until he finished the 8th grade. Clarence helped on the farm until the spring of 1943 when they moved into town.

His father then purchased the local blacksmith shop from John J. Schulz on November 10, 1943. The shop was called the City Blacksmith until 1948 when the name was changed to Stelter's Repair. In 1951 Clarence joined the army, serving in Japan as a welder in an Army Maintenance Shop, returning home in 1953. Upon returning he was united in marriage to Evelyn Becker on September 12, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig. To this union 5 children were born; Mark (1955), Vicki (1958), Charlotte (1962), Andrea (1968) and Jodie (1969).

When Clarence's father passed way in 1954, he took over Stelter Repair working long hours sharpening plowshares all day with a coal fired forge. Clarence worked hard to provide for his family but also becoming an active businessman in the community. He served as Mayor of the City of New Leipzig, on the church council and was an active member of the Commercial Club and later the Town and Country Booster Club. He was also proud to have served on the New Leipzig Fire Department and Ambulance Squad for 25 years, respectively. Clarence and Evelyn were honored to be the 2002 Oktoberfest Parade Marshals.

As years went by and his children grew he loved to attend their sporting events, becoming a huge ""New Leipzig Tiger fan."" An important highlight during that time was in 1972 when the boys basketball team earned a trip to the State B in Minot.

So many changes took place for Stelter Repair during the years from 1943 to current. It all began with his father, August who taught himself the trade, which he passed down to Clarence. There were tough times and long, long hours to build Stelter Repair, Inc. as it's known today. For Clarence, work and customers were an important part of his life, and with that dedication Stelter Repair, Inc. could celebrate 70 years in business, a true milestone. In November 2013, at the open house we were fortunate to have Clarence as a guest of honor. He thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. It would have been his last time there, proudly touring the latest addition. One of Clarence's favorite responses to a customer when they ask for their parts to be done yesterday he would respond: ""that's good because we are doing yesterday's work next week"".

As Clarence's health started to fail he entered the Good Samaritan Center in Mott, ND in February 2013. He never really adjusted to nursing home life, always asking for the vehicle, or for someone to take him home. The family appreciated the excellent care that he received from the staff while he was a resident there.

Clarence passed away suddenly the morning of Thursday February 27, 2014 en route to West River Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn of 60 years, their five children; Mark (Wanda) Stelter, New Leipzig, Vicki Stelter, Fort Collins, Colorado, Char (Kenton) Roehl, New Leipzig, Andrea (Mark) Langlie, Fargo, ND and Jodie Feltmann, Kona, Hawaii, and eight grandchildren; Preston (Mari) Stelter, Mott, ND, Jordan Roehl, Grand Forks, ND, Jamison and Taylor Roehl, New Leipzig and Jaiden, Madison, Daniel and Kenzee Langlie all of Fargo, ND. Clarence leaves behind a sister, Julia Wutzke of rural Elgin, ND, also nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Elizabeth Stelter, sister Freida (Pastian) Koepplin and infant grandson, Kaleb William Langlie, named after his grandpa.

We would like to consider all customers and employees of Stelter Repair, Inc., and family as Honorary Pallbearers.

A memorial has been established.