Clarence Buschette, age 82, of Mahnomen, MN, died Monday, August 20, 2018, at his home under the loving care of his family and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Clarence Thomas Buschette was born in Mahnomen County on April 17, 1936, the youngest of nine children, to Alois and Barbara (Walz) Buschette.  He attended country school and worked on the farm with his father and brothers.  While out with friends, Clarence encountered Shirley Kaste and he asked her out on a date.  They immediately hit it off and after a long-distance courtship the two were united in marriage at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks on October 6, 1956. They were blessed with six children: Rick, Rita, Carol, Gary, Donna, and Amy.  The couple made their home on the family farm with his parents until taking over the farm in 1957.  Clarence and Shirley raised milk cows and harvested small grains for many years, only selling the dairy cows in 2000.  Although the cows were gone, Clarence never really retired, he still enjoyed helping Rick and Greg with fieldwork.  Farming was a lifestyle and he enjoyed every part of his day to day routine.

Clarence really enjoyed the great outdoors.  He loved hunting, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and both 4-wheeler and ranger rides.  You just never knew what type of pet he would come home with, maybe a beaver, a fox, a fawn, a gopher or even a skunk!  Clarence also liked playing cards, and in recent years, watching westerns and Me TV.  He looked forward to the annual butchering and sausage making festivities as well.  Clarence was a soft-spoken man who was always willing to help someone in need.  His family was top priority and he cherished all the time he was able to spend with his children and grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Clarence is survived by six children: Rick (Linda) Buschette of Mahnomen, MN, Rita (Tom) Wolbeck of Waubun, MN, Carol (Larry) Olson of Twin Valley, MN, Gary (Mary) Buschette of Sioux Falls, SD, Donna (Lee) Radtke of Bejou, MN, and Amy (Tony) Amberg of Twin Valley, MN; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lloyd Buschette of Detroit Lakes, MN; one sister-in-law, Sue Buschette of St. Michael, MN.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; five brothers: Ivan, Daniel, Lawrence, Raymond and Edwin; two sisters, Irene Johnson and Sylvia Boman and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, September 1, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN.  A Time of Gathering will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.