Claude Dale Stafford

Claude Dale Stafford, 89, of Dodge Center, MN passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at his daughter’s home in Dodge Center, MN surrounded by his loving family.

Claude was born on January 10, 1932 in Miton Township, MN to Markie and Isabelle (Bartholomew) Stafford.  He served in the Army during the Korean War Conflict on the 39 ^th Parallel and was the recipient of several medals for his heroic service.  He married Muriel Kay Scherger on June 30, 1956 and together they had four children.

Claude worked as a dairy farmer and he was a construction foreman for underground pipeline.   He also raised Appaloosa horses. He was a devoted member of the Dodge Center American Legion, Dodge County Saddle Club, Appaloosa Horse Club, and Grace Lutheran Church in Dodge Center, MN.  He will be deeply missed.

Claude is survived by his wife Muriel Stafford of Dodge Center, MN; children, Cathy (Oscar) Skogen of Dodge Center, MN, Laurie (Darin) Bernard of Owatonna, MN, Vicki (Robert) Munson of Dodge Center, MN; son-in-law,  Steve Snyder of Deerwood, MN; brother, Donald (Arleen) Stafford of Dodge Center, MN; brother-in-law, Larry Scherger of Dodge Center; grandchildren, Melinda Fields, Jessica (John) Schwering, Larissa (Sok) Sin, Nick (Rachel) Skogen, Trent (Ashley) Snyder, Travis (Andrea) Snyder, Christine (Adam) Heroff, Matthew (Casandra) Szynal, Michael (Kaitlin) Szynal, Ryan (Lindsay) Munson, and Rachel (Ethan) Taylor; 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Pamela Jean Snyder; siblings, Mavis Atkinson, Kyle Stafford, Janice McGovern, Evelyn Dostal, Fred Stafford, Lucille Capretz, Harold Stafford, Arlene Erickson; and sister-in-law, Bette Scherger.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 25 South Street in Dodge Center, and one hour prior to the service at the church.  A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 Central Ave N in Dodge Center, with Reverend Bruce Stam officiating.  You are invited to join a live stream of the funeral service on the Czaplewski Facebook page starting at 10:20 a.m., https://www.facebook.com/Czaplewski-Family-Funeral-Homes-Crematory-336420016774213/ .  Burial will be held in the spring with military honors provided by the Dodge Center American Legion in Wildwood Cemetery in Wasioja, MN.

Due to the current health concerns and restrictions, please respect social distancing and the wearing of face masks both at the visitation and funeral.

To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 25 South Street, Dodge Center, MN 55927 (507)374-2155. Blessed be his memory.