Clayton John Johnsen, 100, Dickinson, passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home, Glendive, Mont. Clayton’s Funeral will be at 10 a.m., Friday, January 18, 2019 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with Rev. Joe Natwick officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military Honors will be provided by the Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Clayton John Johnsen was born on November 5, 1918 on the farm north of Dunn Center, the son of John and Mary (Rassmusen) Johnsen He attended grade school and high school in the Werner area.

Clayton joined the U.S. Army on September 6, 1939. He was due to be discharged when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That being, he was stationed in the South Pacific for six years. Clayton was honorably discharged on May 21, 1945. When he returned to farming, Clayton married Ruth Knudsvig on June 1, 1947 at Normana Lutheran Church. They continued to farm until Clayton’s health caused them to move into Dickinson in 1954.

Clayton built several homes finally settling on Palm Beach Road where they lived for 38 years. Clayton and Ruth retired and wintered in the Las Vegas Valley for 26 years while maintaining their Dickinson home for the summer.

Clayton and Ruth traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada and abroad. Clayton enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family.

Clayton is survived by two sons, Owen (Karen Buffington), Dickinson and Robert, Dubois, Wyo.; two grandchildren, Clayton (Angie), Dickinson and Lynae (Monte) Frerichs, Elmwood, Neb.; four great-grandchildren, Keegan and Maddax Johnsen and Urban and Etta Frerichs; and one step-grandson, Brett Dinius.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, on October 30, 2015; one brother; and three sisters.