Clayton Godfrey Obermeier

Clayton Godfrey Obermeier, 87, St. Paul, MN, formerly of Crocker, passed away at his home in St. Paul, MN, on November 5, 2007, with his family at his side. Memorial services will be Thursday, Nov. 8, at 10:30 AM at the Crocker Lutheran Church in Crocker. Burial of his ashes will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 1:30 PM in the St. Thomas Cemetery near Crocker. Special music will be provided by Marvine Obermeier, Fred B Obermeier, Pamela Van Gilder, Wendy Christman and some of the children in Clayton's family. Scriptures will be read by Fred B Obermeier, Michele Obermeier and Carla Obermeier. Minister Marion Grimes will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in the St. Thomas Cemetery near Crocker. Clayton G. Obermeier was born to Henry and Anna (Bjerke) Obermeier near Crocker on Feb. 9, 1920. He grew up on the family farm, attended the Crocker School and graduated from Bradley High School. He was confirmed in the Crocker Lutheran Church. Mr. Obermeier attended Mitchell Business College and then moved to Minneapolis, working as an office boy, accountant and executive secretary at International Milling Company. Before entering the Navy in World War II, he married Betty Belle Phelps on January 30, 1942. He served destroyer escort duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific, returning to civilian life in October 1945. During the next 17 years, Clayton worked in sales and sales management, selling farm machinery, for the Farmhand Company of Hopkins, MN, and Sperry New Holland of Pennsylvania, traveling in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa. The growing family lived at times in Minneapolis, Rapid City, Crocker, Omaha and Des Moines. In 1962, he joined Industrial Credit Company, a St. Paul-based commercial finance and leasing company, serving in various capacities, including divisional vice president and executive vice president. In 1969, the company was purchased by ITT. During the next 10 years, as president, Clayton directed the growth of ITT Industrial Credit Company to a national firm with 350 employees, 36 offices and 850 million dollars in loans outstanding, mainly to construction and oil-drilling companies. He was CEO and Chairman of the Board at the time of his retirement in 1982. Throughout the years, Clayton continued his education, including advanced courses at Stanford University. He also served as a member of the Minnesota Historical Society Executive Council and was a lifetime member of the South Dakota Historical Society. He was a member of the Crocker Lutheran Church and an associate member of Central Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. Upon their retirement, Clayton and Betty divided their time among their condo in downtown St. Paul, the Crocker Schoolhouse and a condo in Palm Desert, CA. They identified their early retirement years as among the happiest of their lives, golfing, playing tennis and traveling to visit their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the real joys in their lives. Other interests included collecting wildlife pictures and antique guns. Survivors include his wife; daughter Patricia (John) Neuman; sons Clayton "Pete" (Linda), Charles (Carla), Ronald, Brian (Michele), and Bruce; brothers Walter, Bill (Jean) and Fritz (Marvine); sister Evelyn Britton; 19 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one uncle, Clifford Bjerke; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Henry and Clifford; and a great-granddaughter. Arrangements are announced by the Furness Funeral Home at Clark. There will be no visitation. On line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com