Clarence J. Kapsch, 84, of Mitchell, died October 18, 2004 at the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday at the Resurrection Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM Thursday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Servicemens Memorial Cemetery with military rites.

Clarence J. Kapsch, son of Albert and Mary (Dannenbring) Kapsch, was born February 19, 1920 in rural Clayton, SD. He attended country school in rural Clayton. Clarence moved with his family to Mitchell, SD where he completed his schooling. He later became employed at the Spears Ice Company in Mitchell.

He was united in marriage with Genevieve Irving on March 24, 1940 in Mitchell, SD. Clarence then entered the US Army and served in Europe during World War II. He was honorably discharged and returned to Mitchell where he was employed at Iverson Max as a body mechanic. In 1953 Clarence began his career with the South Dakota National Guard. He retired in 1980 after 37 years of service with the National Guard.

In his retirement he enjoyed golfing, bowling, and wintering in Harlingen, TX. He was a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the Elks, the VFW, the American Legion and the Moose Lodge. He was a volunteer fireman for the Mitchell Fire Dept. for seventeen years.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Genevieve, Mitchell, SD; four children, Sharon McNary and her husband, Jerry, Mitchell, SD, Nancy Heckenlaible and her husband, Mitch, Mitchell, SD, Larry Kapsch, Fargo, ND, Doug Kapsch and his wife, Julie, Belle Fourche, SD; 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; a brother, Floyd Kapsch, New London, IA; two sisters, Shirley Willey, Mt. Vernon, SD, Louise Hanten, Omaha, NE; a sister-in-law, Rhodora Kapsch, Bennett, NE.

Clarence was preceded in death by a son, Clarence J. Kapsch Jr.; his parents; a great grandson, Dustin Kapsch; two brothers, Morris and Harold; and one sister, Irene Fake.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.