Clarence D. Mentel, 80
Clarence Daniel Mentel, 80, of Austin, died on Dec. 12, 2008 at Saint Marys Hospital surrounded by his family.
Clarence was born on June 4, 1928 in Austin, Minn. to Fred and Mary (Majerus) Mentel. He met Elaine Jessie Peterson of Grand Meadow at the Terp Ballroom as a young adult. They were married on June 2, 1956 at St. Augustine Church. They moved to the rural Austin area in 1960 where Elaine currently resides. Clarence and Elaine sold Shaklee products since 1972. For the past 60 years, Clarence was self-employed in a variety of endeavors including heavy equipment operation, house moving and demolition, paving, and sewer maintenance.
The family cherishes all the wonderful memories with Clarence including: rides on the golf cart, trips to the cabin, visiting with friends and travels with his children. 
Survivors include his wife, Elaine; three sons, Dan Mentel, Austin, Mike (Betsy) Mentel, Austin and Robert (Alyssa) Mentel, Austin; two daughters, Marlys (Derek) Lerum, Austin, Ruth (Brett) Carpenter, Zimmerman, Minn.; five grandsons, Chad Mentel, Travis Wytaske, Joe Mentel, Dustin Lerum, Jacob Carpenter; six granddaughters, Nicole (Brett) Anderson, Sara Mentel, Taylor Wytaske, Cerise Lerum, Christenia Carpenter, Elaina Carpenter and two great-grandchildren, Ella Werner and Ian Anderson. He is also survived by one brother, Harry (Stella) Mentel and one sister, Marcella Schwartz.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathryn Grosland.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church with Father Joe Fogal officiating. Interment will be in the St. Peters Catholic Cemetery in Rose Creek. There will be a CCW Rosary and a Prayer Service at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary where friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and for one hour before the service at the church.