Clayton Rivenes

Clayton Jerome Rivenes died on June 19, 2020 at Essentia Health after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born November 16, 1941 to Martin and Bernice Rivenes in Fargo ND.

Clayton joined the US Marine Corp August 28, 1959. He was a machine gunner when he first enlisted. After a few years, he became a military police officer stationed on Miramar Naval Base. He served the remainder of his enlistment here enjoying the beaches, fixing up and racing his hot rod. 

After being honorably discharged, he came home to Fargo. He met his wife of 57 years, Sandra Stalvik, soon after at a friend's wedding. They were married November 23, 1963. Their oldest son, Clayton Jr, joined the family the following year. Nine years later, they welcomed another son, Danny.  The youngest, a daughter, Christy was born 6 years after that. 

Clayton worked 33 years at the Fargo VA Hospital. He started as a dishwasher and worked his way up to Chief of Food Production and Services before his retirement at age 55. His next adventure, the favorite of all, started the following year as Grandpa's Daycare. He spoiled and cared for all 6 of his granddaughters. They were his pride and joy until the day he died. There wasn't a person he met that he didn't take an opportunity to brag about his girls. He provided them with anything and everything they ever wanted including things they didn't even know they wanted. 

Clayton was known for being a jack of all trades and knowledge like no other. If you had a question, he would usually have an answer. If he didn't, he would investigate the subject so he could give you an answer shortly thereafter. Clayton enjoyed spending most of his time outdoors. He was either building something, working on cars, attending his flowers, pruning his trees or mowing. Of course, this always included numerous coffee and cigarette breaks to reflect or plan the next project. He also enjoyed spending time at the shooting and archery ranges and even taught most of his granddaughters the joy of archery. Clayton cherished being his family's personal videographer for every special event they participated in. He wasn't a man of very many words, but he was a man of action. He was gentle, caring, and the most patient teacher. He will be missed terribly by his family and everyone who was blessed to have met him. 

Clayton is survived by his wife, Sandy of Fargo ND; children Clayton Rivenes Jr of Fargo ND, Danny (Julie) Rivenes of West Fargo ND, Christy (Cody) Wilmore of West Fargo ND; grandchildren Emily Koenig of Granby CT, Taylor (Jamison) Allen of Moorhead MN, Brianna and Courtney Rivenes of West Fargo ND, Shaeden and Jocelyn Wilmore of West Fargo ND; soon to be great grandchild Greyson Allen of Moorhead MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Bernice Rivenes, father-in-law Oscar Stalvik, sister Gloria Flanders, sister-in-law Marlene Koski, brothers-in-law Arlo Stalvik and Marty Schweitzer, nieces Juli Rohde Hart, Renae Delamater, Stephanie Schweitzer, and nephew Brent Haats.

Visitation:  Thursday, June 25, 2020 from 5 to 7 PM at Faith + Journey Lutheran Church, West Fargo, ND.

Prayer Service: Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 7 PM at Faith + Journey Lutheran Church, West Fargo, ND.

Funeral Service: Friday, June 26th at 11 AM at the church with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Burial and Military Rites: Friday, June 26th following the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clayton Rivenes, please visit our floral store.