Clare Thedorff was born January 11, 1932 in DeSmet, SD to parents Joseph and Irene (Pirlet) Thedorff. He died peacefully at his home in rural Centerville on June 19, 2016 at the age of 84 years.

Clare attended school in Lake Preston. He served in the United States Armed Forces from September of 1950 until his honorable discharge in August of 1953. He married Shirley Pastian on January 11, 1953 in DeSmet. The couple moved to the Beresford area in 1956. Clare worked at Sioux Steam and then operated a portable feed grinder for Westburg Feed and Seed. He bought the business in 1976 and operated it until 1983. He worked as a custodian at the Vermillion Middle School from 1984 to 1994. He then worked at Dalesburg Farm Supply until the present time.

Clare was an active member of the Beresford Zion United Methodist Church, the Alsen American Legion and the Eagles Club in Vermillion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Laverne, Dale and Boyd in infancy, and 2 sisters, Doris and Jeanine.

His survivors include his wife of 63 years, Shirley; 4 children, Wanda (Chuck) Fergen, Pierre, SD, Ward (Rondi Utne and family) Thedorff, Sioux Falls, Wade Thedorff, Yankton and Wayne Thedorff, Centerville; grandchildren, Bridget Thedorff, Jared (Andrea) Thedorff, Brett (Mandy) Fergen, Niki (Eric) Rodawig and Tyler (Annie Staum); great grandchildren, Owen Thedorff, Cole Thedorff, Max Fergen, E.J. Rodawig, and his first great granddaughter Rodawig to be; 2 sisters, Bonnie Wurl and Connie Anderson; a brother Joseph Thedorff; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the Beresford Zion United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Wednesday at the church from 6PM to 8PM with a prayer service at 7PM.