Clarence B. Meland (CB)

Crocker, SD

1940, 2754, Wall (Badlands), NP-2,

Clarence "CB" Meland, 83, died on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at Sioux Valley Hospital. Clarence B. Meland, son of Wilhelm and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Meland was born on January 18, 1923 in Clark, SD and was raised in the Clark area, receiving his education at Crocker School. Following his education he worked in the area as a farmhand.

At the age of 18 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, "CCC" and helped build many roads and a reservoir in the Badlands of South Dakota. On May 3, 1943 he enlisted and served with the United States Navy Sea Bees and was part of three invasions in the South Pacific. Clarence "CB" was honorably discharged on November 25, 1945. Following his discharge and with the help of the GI Bill he obtained his private pilot's license in Watertown, SD.

CB then moved to Sioux Falls and worked for Dan Dugan Transport and from 1948-1950 was a motorcycle patrolman with the Sioux Falls Police Department. On August 21, 1949, Clarence was united in marriage with Delores Rasche in Luverne, MN. Their daughter, Clarice was born in 1950. In 1951, the family moved to Hartford, SD and in 1953, their son, Ron was born. CB worked for Standard Oil for 10 years and then operated Champlin Oil Company. CB worked as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service as a full time and part time rural carrier for 30 years, retiring in 1985.

CB was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and helped in the construction of the existing church building, also serving as treasurer. He was active in the Hartford community serving at one time as the Mayor and a City Councilman. CB owned and operated the school buses for the Hartford School District, was a member of the Hartford American Legion, Hartford Cemetery Board, the Lions Club and the Senior Citizens. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 56 years, Delores, Brandon, SD; children, Clarice (Don) Niewald, Colorado Springs, CO, Ron (Pam) Meland, Brandon; three grandchildren, Amy Harrison, Beth Niewald, Alex Meland; two great-grandchildren, Jonathan Harrison and Kailyn Harrison; sister, Berness Marotz, Watertown, SD; and a host of relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, two brothers, Virgil and Willis, preceded him in death. Funeral services will be 10:30 am Saturday, March 11, 2006 at Christ Lutheran Church in Hartford. Interment will be at the Hartford Cemetery.

Clarence Meland's son Ron visited the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum of South Dakota in Hill City, SD in May of 2019 and found CB's name listed in the roster of over 20,000 names.

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