Richard D. Clemenson

Richard Clemenson, age 84 of Hoople, ND, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at the First Care Health Center of Park River.

Richard Duane Clemenson was born April 7, 1941, in Grafton, North Dakota, to Tip and Irene (Thompson) Clemenson. He attended Fertile Township and Walsh County Ag School in Park River, prior to NDSU, where he earned a degree in agricultural economics, played baseball for the Bison and was a member of AGR fraternity. He also served six years in the Air National Guard.

He married Ruth Sletten on July 31, 1971, and they spent 54 years together on a seed potato farm in rural Hoople. He served as president of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association and received its Meritorious Service Award. He also held positions on several boards including Walsh County Farm Bureau, Nash Grain and Trading, National Potato Board and Zion Lutheran Church.

Richard was a gifted athlete and enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He loved spending time at the lake, winters in Arizona, tending to his Juneberries, and spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; children, Kristin (Joel) Sobolik; Brad Clemenson; and Beth Wharam; six grandchildren, Hunter Sobolik, Wyatt Sobolik, Madison Sobolik, Claire Wharam (Luke Hanback), Greta Wharam and Nora Wharam; and sisters, Janice and Myrna (Rex) Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation, followed by a prayer service, is scheduled 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Zion Lutheran Church of rural Hoople. A funeral is planned for 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 2, at Zion. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church Repair Fund, Park River Bible Camp, First Care Health Center (Park River) and local food pantries. Inurnment will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in the spring.