Clarence F. Tommerup, 90
Clarence F. Tommerup, 90, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2006, at the Brendan House in Kalispell. He was born Oct. 13, 1915, in Coalridge to Danish immigrants, Peter and Christine (Jensen) Tommerup.
Clarence was raised on the family farm in a one-room farmhouse along with his four brothers and four sisters, until his triplet sisters came along to make their family complete with 12 children.
On March 11, 1936, he married the first love of his life, Lillian Petersen. They were married 42 years prior to her passing. On Aug. 7, 1979, he married the second love of his life, Florence Boorman, who remained by his side until he "went to be with the Lord."
He attended school in Coalridge and completed school through the eighth grade, at which time his career of hard work began. He moved to Sidney, where his first son, Larry, was born, and worked as a hod carrier building the post office. Then he returned to Coalridge and worked in the coal mines. Later he moved to Blaisdell, N.D., where his daughter, Carol, was born, and he worked on his in-laws' family farm, enjoying wheat farming.
He moved to Kalispell in 1948, at which time he bought his ranch west of Kalispell. On his ranch he had dairy cattle and then later raised beef cattle. He managed the A.J. Thomas Tree Company operation for many years before going on to work at Meridian Dairy delivering milk. He met many friends on his route and they all loved him. It was truly one of his favorite jobs. He thoroughly enjoyed visiting with his customers.
Clarence actively worked on the ranch until about five years ago, when he had his accident with the tractor. That slowed him down, but he still could be the "boss" and continued to be involved as his daughter, Carol, took over caring for the animals and the ranch.
He had many hobbies that included dancing, square dancing, fishing, camping, hunting, cutting Christmas trees and spending time on the ranch with his cows. His favorite annual event was branding.
He was a longtime member of the Smith Valley Grange, served on the Boorman School board and was active in the Smith Valley 4-H Club.
Clarence was truly a dear friend and "grandpa" to many. He always had a smile and welcomed everyone with open arms. He loved to visit and had a wealth of knowledge and memories that he shared. Anyone who met Clarence loved him. He will be dearly missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lillian (Petersen) Tommerup, his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Florence Tommerup, of Kalispell; a son, Larry Tommerup, and wife, Dorothy, of Tucson, Ariz.; a daughter, Carol Guest, of Kalispell; seven grandchildren, Larry Tommerup Jr., and wife, Joni, Laurie Hazard, Scott Guest and wife, Laurie, and Sheila Wilson and husband, Andy, all of Vancouver, Wash., Cyndy Tinnel and husband, Tom, David Tommerup and wife, Vonda, both families of Nashville, Tenn., and Susan Schmid and husband, Shawn, of Kalispell; 19 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Clarence will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Calvary Lutheran Church, with burial after services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. After interment, a celebration of Clarence's life will be a potluck held at Smith Valley Grange.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Clarence's family.