Clarence Mutschler

Clarence Mutschler was born February 11, 1934 to Fred & Helena (Oster) Mutschler on a farm at Eureka, SD.

He attended grade school near Eureka and graduated from Eureka High School in 1951. He stayed on the farm, helping his   parents for a year. In 1952 he attended Northern State College and received a certificate to teach Country Schools which he did for 1 year, then continued working on the family farm the next 2 years.   Clarence was preceded in death by his brothers Herbert in 2001, and Marvin in 1999 and his sisters Ellenora in 1953 and Iona in 2015.

May 29, 1955 Clarence married Eunice Loebs, daughter of Hulda & Alvin Loebs at the Reformed Church in Eureka. They moved to Aberdeen where Eunice attended Northern State College and Clarence attended the Aberdeen School of Commerce Business College. In 1956, Clarence was employed as a bookkeeper with Al Sandvig in the Aberdeen Farm Fleet Store.

In 1963, Clarence & family were transferred to Redfield, SD as the store manager for Aberdeen Farm Fleet store. In 1966 they were transferred to Jamestown, ND as store manager.  In 1969 the family moved back to Aberdeen as Merchandise buyer for the 13 Sandvig stores. In the fall of 1970 Mr Sandvig sold all stores so the family moved to Spencer, IA to manage the Farm Fleet Store.

In 1971 Clarence & Eunice purchased the Coast to Coast store in DeSmet, SD. They both worked full time, along with the boys working part time, learning the retail business. In 1981 they purchased the Coast to Coast store in Clark, SD. Clarence & Eunice also opened a major appliance store in Clark and became part owners of the Coast to Coast store in Watertown, SD.

They received "The Retail Couple of the Year award" in 1991. In 1999 they sold their home in Clark & moved to Watertown, SD.

Clarence & Eunice spent the winters in Arizona. Clarence was involved in leading hiking groups, building props for plays and acting in comedy skits. Pencil art was his passion, he entered his drawings in art shows and received many awards. Clarence was a long-time entrant of the Dakota MasterWorks Art Show. He was chosen by the viewers as the People's Choice winner for the years 2002, 2004 and 2007. From his 2002 winning drawing of "The Bridge, Watertown", they designed a t-shirt with the design on the front of the shirt that they sold as a fundraiser for the Art Show. Clarence was so proud of this and thought he had hit it big then. His artwork was also featured each of his winning year's on the companies Christmas card.

Eunice passed away January 9, 2001 in Arizona.  Clarence married LaVerne Stuckle in Eureka 2005. LaVerne passed away in 2013.

Clarence is survived by his 3 sons. Scott (Marsha) born October 31, 1956, lives in Pierre, SD and his children are April, Keith & Christina. Wesley (Kathy), born December 14, 1958, lives in Seattle, WA and his children are Kim & Josh. Bruce (Shelly) born September 27, 1961, lives in Watertown, SD and his children are Stephanie, Brady & Carson. Clarence also has eight great grandchildren. Furness Funeral Home of Clark is handling arrangements where there is an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com .