Clarice A. Dusek

Clarice Agnes Dusek, born February 26, 1935, was the daughter of Leon and Clara (Mach) Riskey. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Warsaw, North Dakota, and later attended high school in Grafton, North Dakota.

On October 20, 1959, Clarice married Joseph L. Dusek. Together, they made their home on a farm near Veseleyville, North Dakota, where they raised their family and built a life centered around faith, family, hard work, and service to others.

Life on the farm was an important part of Clarice’s life. She raised chickens and ducks and tended a huge garden. She enjoyed canning, baking, and ceramics, creating many beautiful ceramic figurines over the years. She took pride in the things she could grow and make, and she was always generous about sharing her canned goods and homemade treats with family.

In 1997, Clarice and Joe moved to Grafton, North Dakota, where they made their home and joined St. John’s Catholic Church.

Clarice was devoted to her Catholic faith and to serving others. While living near Veseleyville, she was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, where she taught CCD and was a member of the Altar Society, Homemakers, Catholic Daughters, and the American Legion Auxiliary. After moving to Grafton, she continued her involvement in her faith community through St. John’s Catholic Church.

Clarice had a generous heart and found many ways to help others. Later in life, she visited shut-ins, bringing them meals and homemade goodies. More importantly, she brought her time, conversation, and kindness, brightening their lives and making them feel remembered and cared for.

Family was at the heart of Clarice’s life. She cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and took great pride in the family she and Joe built together.

Clarice was also very proud to be a cancer survivor. She participated in Relay for Life events whenever she could and walked in support of the fight against cancer. Her strength, perseverance, and desire to give back were an inspiration to those around her.

The family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to the staff of Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton and HIA Hospice for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided to Clarice and her family.

Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton.

Clarice is survived by her seven children: Danny (Teresa) of Grafton, ND; Rick (Brenda) of North Oaks, MN; Judy (Jon) of Angle Inlet, MN; David (Sheryl) of Fargo, ND; Ernie (Barb) of Grafton, ND; DuWayne (Alanna) of Grand Forks, ND; and Joey (Amy) of Rosemount, MN. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; her parents, Leon and Clara Riskey; and her siblings, Frank Riskey, Danny Riskey, Julius Riskey, Louise Dusek, and Leona Bisel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, Veseleyville, ND. The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website.