Claude Dale Stafford, 89, Dodge Center

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

Claude was born on Jan. 10, 1932 in Milton Township, 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 pipelines.   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.  He will be deeply missed. 

Claude is survived by his wife Muriel Stafford of Dodge Center; children, Cathy (Oscar) Skogen of Dodge Center, Laurie (Darin) Bernard of Owatonna, Vicki (Robert) Munson of Dodge Center; son-in-law, Steve Snyder of Deerwood; brother, Donald (Arleen) Stafford of Dodge Center; 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 one 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. 

A funeral service was held on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021 at Grace Lutheran Church, with Reverend Bruce Stam officiating. Burial will be held in the spring with military honors provided by the Dodge Center American Legion in Wildwood Cemetery in Wasioja. 

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.