Clare Mathistad
Clare Ellis Mathistad, 69, of Minot and Watford City, N.D., passed away peacefully with his family at his side at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks, N.D., on November 15, 2017, after a multi-year battle with cancer.
He was born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Williston, N.D., to Edwin and Ann (Hovde) Mathistad. He attended Watford City High School and participated in football, but baseball held a particular fondness for him. He was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice and won many vocal competitions with the men’s quartet at W.C.H.S. After graduation in 1965, Clare was awarded a $4,000 grant from the Eielson Trust Fund to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn.
Clare was a successful international singer, poet and composer, with most of his music being recorded and performed overseas. He was especially proud of his songs “Peace of Soul” and “Full Moon Over Georgia.” An avid bowler, he enjoyed immensely the many tournaments in which he competed, particularly a competition in Dickinson, N.D., when he took home the championship trophy. He lived most of his life in Watford City and Minot before spending his later years in Grand Forks. He was formerly married to Rhonda Flath.
He is survived by his sisters, Judy (Rick) Binks and Kristie (Paul) Slaamot; brothers, Todd (Janet) Mathistad and Tim (Dair) Mathistad; nephews, Cory Thompson, Joe Mathistad, Peter Mathistad, and Jon Mathistad; nieces, Heidi Mason, Alisha Brevik, Trisha (Jon) Beck, Krista Mathistad and Molly Mathistad; and several grand-nieces and nephews.
Clare was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Ann (Hovde) Mathistad; niece, Jessica Slaamot (Paul and Kristie); and grandniece, Alyssa Mason (Heidi).
Memorial Service for Clare will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 215 3rd Ave. SE in Minot and will be streamed for online viewing at http://bethanylutheran.tv.
A private interment will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church or Bread of Life Lutheran Church, both of Minot, N.D.
Expressions of sympathy may be posted online on the website of Thomas Family Funeral Home of Minot at thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com