Thomas Cleven

Thomas Cleven, 80, (formerly of Fargo, ND) died Saturday, January 5, 2008, in Austin, Texas, from complications of heart surgery. Thomas A. Cleven was born on March 28, 1927, in Fargo, ND. The family moved to the Galesburg-Hunter, North Dakota, area when he was one year old. Tom attended school in that area. Tom and his family lived in Mayville, ND, and he worked at the Mayville Creamery from 1947 to 1950. Tom married Doris Ingebretson of Mayville, North Dakota, on March 7, 1948. In 1950, he moved to Fargo, ND, and started working for the Fargo Fire Department. He worked there for 26 years, until he retired from the Fire Department in 1976. He worked for Branick Manufacturing Company for many years and in 1979, became a partner with four other employees when they purchased the company. Tom then became Vice-President of Branick. He was a member of the NTDRA as well as the Elks Lodge, Eagles, and the Teamsters. After retiring from Branick, Tom and his wife built a home on Big Cormorant Lake in Minnesota. They lived there for ten years. In 1997, they moved to Castle Rock, CO, where they lived until 2000, when they moved back to Fargo, ND. In 2003, they moved to Copperas Cove, TX. Tom is survived by his wife, Doris, Copperas Cove, TX; and six children, Timothy (Valli) Cleven, Andover, MN; Ray (Bernadette) Cleven, Copperas, Cove, TX; Rebecca (Gary) Cooper, Jamestown, ND; Diane Cleven, Copperas Cove, TX; Patricia (Kenneth) Morrison, Aurora, CO; Paula Cleven, Aurora, CO; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, James Cleven, Glendale, AZ; sister, Bernice Bensen, Bismarck, ND; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Shane Cleven. Funeral Service: Saturday, January 12, 2008, at 2:00 PM, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Friday, January 11, 2008, from 5-7 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Prayer Service: Friday, January 11, 2008 at 7:00 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.