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Clarence O. Ahlstrand, age 97, of Shafer, MN died September 2, 2015.  

Clarence grew up and lived most of his life on the family farm in Shafer. He served in the Army from 1941 to 1945. He landed on Normandy Beach the second day and was also in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Silver Star. He married Cecilia Miller in 1948 and returned to the family farm where he raised his family. He also worked in the Interstate Park in Taylors Falls for 26 years and retired in 1988. He was active in Shafer Township and the VFW.  Clarence was a gentle, humble, gracious and loving man.  He was blessed to lead an active and independent life up until a month ago.  He recently said “I just enjoy seeing what’s happening.” He greatest joy was seeing his family and he loved holding the little ones and watching them run around.   He was preceded in death by his wife Cecilia, 2 brothers Stanley and Carroll, sister Ruby and son Jeffery.  He is survived by children Sandra (Mike Rehfeldt) Resner, Linda (Ken) Norling, Gloria (Skip) Pearson, Clarence J. (Patti) Ahlstrand, Ron Ahlstrand, Louis (Tracie Kent) Ahlstrand, Betty (Donald) Steffen, Wendy (Clifford) Grubbs, Bruce (Cheryl Dolan) Ahlstrand, Brian Ahlstrand; 21 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter; sister in law Gloria Ahlstrand, many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services were held 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City, MN.  Interment at Hillside Cemetery in Center City.  In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Wounded Warrior Project. P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.  Arrangements by the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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