August Ludwig Carl Onken

August Onken of Clarissa, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the Todd County Care Center in Clarissa. August was 103 years young.

A funeral service will take place on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Shepherd of the Valley Church in Clarissa. Visitation will take place that morning from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Burial with military honors will immediately follow the funeral at the Woodman Cemetery in Clarissa.

August Ludwig Carl Onken was born December 13, 1919, in Jackson County, Lakefield, Minnesota to Henry and Rieke (Siebelf) Onken.

He was baptized on January 4, 1920, and confirmed on March 25, 1934, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Rust Township, Lakefield, MN. August served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII.  He became a life member of American Legion Post 213, Clarissa, Minnesota. 

August married Clara Mae Baumgard on December 18, 1946, in Brewster, MN.  August was a farmer most of his life, in 1956 he moved his family to a farm north of Browerville, Minnesota.  They moved to Clarissa in 1994.

August passed away on June 24 at Todd County Care Center with his family by his side.  August is survived by Cheyrl (Joe Winkler) Cuchna, Barb (Val) Petersen, and Randy Onken; eight grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren; many nieces, and nephews.  Preceding him in death are his parents, wife Clara Mae (2015), his siblings and their spouses; Marie (Tom) Huls, Hans (Enna)  Onken, Lisbeth Onken, Gerry (Millie) Onken, Fritz (Leona) Onken, Arnold Onken, Anne (Edgar) Schultz, Walter (Peggy) Onken, and Mike (Shirley) Onken, grandson Mike Thompson, several nieces, and nephews.

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