Clemens, Gordon V. "Gordy" (August 2, 1930 November 7, 2019) Age 89, passed away peacefully at Ark on The River in Anoka on November 7, 2019. Gordon was born and raised in the small farming community of Northville, SD (between Aberdeen and Redfield). He was the 3rd of nine children. In 1959 he married Shirley Clemens in Minneapolis, MN. After Gordon completed high School in Northville SD, he joined the Air Force and served 4 years working as a radar technician. After his discharge, he worked on fighter planes for American Aviation in Los Angeles. When he moved to MN he took a position as a U.S. Postal Mail Carrier in Anoka/Coon Rapids where he worked until retirement. After retirement, he pursued one of his passions (hobbies) of buying and refurbishing antiques and selling his treasures at a consignment store in Lindstrom MN. Gordon and Shirley spent their summers on Lake Geneva in Alexandria, MN. Preceding Gordon are his parents, Verne and Josephine (Elsom) Clemens, brothers Bernard, Cornelius, and Lawrence Clemens (passed away as an infant). Surviving Gordon is his wife of 60 years Shirley, his daughter Jo Ann, two sons Scott and Jay as well as two grandchildren Lily and Sam. He is also survived by brothers Darlo, Richard, Micky and sister MaryAnn. Gordon loved sports and spent 10 years coaching baseball, softball, and basketball when his children were young. He built a softball field and an ice-skating rink so that all the children in the neighborhood could participate in outdoor activities year-round. Gordon and his wife Shirley spent their summers on Lake Geneva in Alexandria, MN. Gordon will always be known as an entertaining storyteller. He had a twinkle in his eye and a contagious laugh; he was able to maintain his sense of humor until the very last days of his life. Gordon also had a large heart and cared deeply for his family, his relatives, and the community. He was quick to offer help to those who needed it; he was a champion for those he loved, always wanting the best and being there for others when they needed his support or advice. Gordon requested to be cremated so that his ashes could be scattered in a private family ceremony on his Grandfather's former farmland in South Dakota. His Grandfather (Joseph Elsom) had purchased the farmland in 1886; Gordon had a deep love and connection to his Grandfather's farm. Donations can be made in the name of Clemens Education Scholarship Fund, American Bank & Trust, P.O. Box 195, Mellette, SD 57461.

Published on November 12, 2019