Clarence R. Cridland, 84 of Miles City, passed away on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Holy Rosary Healthcare. With his family by his side, Clarence went to meet his Lord and Savior.
Clarence was born to Cyril & Maude Staley Cridland on December 4, 1933 in Camp Crook, SD in his Grandmother’s one room house. Clarence worked on the family and neighbors’ homesteads as a youngster where he learned to play guitar from his older siblings. On December 29, 1950, At the age of 17, Clarence married Mary Webster, the love of his life, who was 15. To this union, a son, Gary, and a daughter, Nettie were born.
When Clarence and Mary first moved to Miles City he worked setting bowling pins and for a local gas station. Clarence and Mary eventually bought the local Uptown Conoco gas station and garage (now Short Stop). On the weekends, Clarence could usually be found playing his guitar and singing with his band “The Cridland Trio + 1”. Clarence’s music brought him many friends over the years, including longtime bandmate Ray Clauson. Clarence’s family still often hears stories from local friends, and some of his biggest fans, remembering all of the good times that came about while “The Cridland Trio + 1” was performing. Meanwhile they continued to operate Uptown Conoco for many years before he eventually started working in real estate and building modular homes with Donald Mullen and Mullen Realty. In his spare time, Clarence was busy working on getting his pilot’s license. In 1974 with Mary, Gary and Bernadette they opened Cridland Steel where they built Butler steel buildings and grain bins all around southeastern Montana. It was during this time Clarence and Mary’s granddaughters Tanneil and Raelee were born. He took his ‘Grandpa’ role very seriously and picked up his granddaughters after work every Wednesday night and took them home where Mary would make pizza and pudding. Later he owned Cridland Overhead Doors, delivered oxygen for American Medical Oxygen and toured the countryside, with Mary by his side, driving for Stevenson’s Funeral Home.
In their spare time Clarence and Mary could often be found at the bowling alley, participating in various leagues over the years with their friends. They went on many bowling trips in their Winnebago, with one of Clarence’s favorite occasions being the day he bowled a perfect 300 game. This was something he was very proud of. They also loved to camp, fish and boat with their family and friends. They also enjoyed snowmobiling and making countless memories with friends, in their younger days.
Mary and Clarence enjoyed teasing each other about being from ‘Camp Crook’ or ‘Ekalaka’, even though only a handful of miles (and a state boundary) separated the two. Mary was Clarence’s constant companion, day and night, throughout the 65 years of their incredible marriage. Clarence’s heart broke the day Mary passed in 2016 and we know he was so happy to be reunited with her in heaven.
Family would like to thank Cottonwood Assisted Living, Holy Rosary Healthcare Extended Care Unit, Hospice and Palliative Care where he received loving and compassionate care.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his loving wife, Mary.
Survivors include a daughter, Nettie (Jay) Honstain; a son, Gary (Bernadette) Cridland. Grandchildren Tanneil (Ricky) Kuchynka and Raelee (John) Hollowell. Clarence was also very close with his eight great-grandchildren, Kaden, Claire, and Connor Kuchynka as well as Tallee (Jeremy Newby), Pierce, Jacques, Brinlee, and Madilee Hollowell.
Family will receive friends on Monday, October 1, 2018 from 4 to 6 pm at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 11 am at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will follow at the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends or family desire, in lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in Clarence’s name at the Outreach Clinic of Miles City or donate to the local charity of their choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday October 1, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday October 2, 2018
Grace Bible Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday October 1, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday October 2, 2018
Grace Bible Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Raymond Clauson says
We could write a book about the last sixty plus years – great memories!
Goodbye old friend
Ray and Sheri Clauson
Jim and Ann Willson says
Sorry to hear about Clarence a great musician – Annalise and I danced a million miles to music of the Cridland Trio. Condolences to the family and thanks for the memories the trio created for us.
Jim and Annalise (Haglof) Willson
Denise Harvey says
We are so sorry for your loss. Lots of wonderful memories of your mom and dad in the old neighborhood.
Denise and Jay Harvey
Doug Benge says
Sorry to learn of Clarence’s passing. We too have great memories, playing music, bowling, bowling banquets, airplane ride or two, to name a few. Enjoyed them all.
Doug and Lucy Benge
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Sorry for your loss, prayers for your family
M J crandall says
My sympathy
Burch Ray Palmer says
So long Clarence. I’ll see you on the bandstand in the sky. You were a great one.
Janet Buraas Klein says
One of the great memories of Clarence was when my mom and dad took me with them to a gathering by the old Milwaukee bridge, which went into the later part of the evening, and there was a wonderful bonfire, there was beer on ice for the adults and ‘real Coca Cola’ in frosty bottles for the kids. We sang and enjoyed the music and had such a wonderful time. What a joyous time and a very memorable time for me. A neighbor who worked for the Railroad and must have brought us together…hoping you will have wonderful memories like these to sustain you through your grieving time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Janet Buraas Klein
Sandy and Pat Anderson says
So sorry to hear of Clarence”s passing. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
RIchard E Meiidnger says
I know Clarence is happy to be in Heaven with Mary. They were such a wonderful couple. We remember them going to Calif one winter with our 5th wheel campers and staying at a friends home on the Colorado River. Every night we would have a pot luck dinner then Clarence would dig out his guitar and we would sing around a big big fire pit.
When we lived on the farm at Kinsey we would have a steak fry almost every Friday or Saturday night and they would come along with about 3 or 4 other couples and we would play games of cards and had so many fun evenings with a lot of laughs. We have visited him several times at the assisted living. He was always happy to see us.
We pray that their family all have special memories to help them through this sad time. His friends sure do. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time. May he rest in peace. Hugs to you all. Linda and Richard
Ron and Marilyn Frize says
Gary, Nettie and family: We were so sorry to hear about Clarence. Our prayers are with you all. May you all find comfort in the many memories you all have.
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
B Dean Holmes says
my question, who is going to play all those great western songs…. and build all those buildings. Clare you were the best.
Irene Trogden says
I too have danced many a mile to Clarence’s music. I grew up dancing to the Cridland Trio at the Cohagen dances. Great music by great musicians. Sorry for your loss.
Irene (Lilienthal) Trogden
Maureen Larson says
I was very sorry to hear of Clarence’s passing, but know that he and Mary are happily reunited. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and hope that your many memories comfort you during this difficult time. He was such a gentleman and will be missed but not forgotten. God bless you all!
Donna Mae Huss says
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Cridland family. Deepest sympathies for your loss. Good bless.
Dolores Willson says
So sorry to hear of Clarence ‘s passing. May you find comfort in all your memories.
Deb Schmeling says
I was saddened to hear about Clarence. He has been reunited with his Mary. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God wrap His loving arms around each one of you.
Hugs & Love,
Deb
AnneMarie Wallette says
I am so sorry for your loss, although I smile at the thought of Clarence being reunited with Mary and with Jesus.
Stan and Sharon Clelland says
Clarence and his family were great musicians. We were good friends of his sister who played the piano. He will be missed around Miles City as a local guitar player and Clarence always had a smile for everyone. God Bless his family and hang onto those wonderful memories . He was a wonderful person and a friend to all who knew him.
Linda and Gene Life says
Our love and prayers to this wonderful family! May you find peace and blessings in your many memories. Clarence will live on in your hearts and be with you forever
mike & myrna higgins says
our deepest sympathy and prayers for all of Clarence’s family
Mary Snell says
My sincere sympathies and prayers to you all.
Tim and Joan Sleeth says
Nettie and Jay Sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
Eileen and Vern Entzel says
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May all the good memories help in the days ahead.
Pam Rogge says
Prayers and condolences to all of Clarence’s family.
Jay and Deb Terrett says
Gary, Bernadette and family,
We send you warm thoughts and prayers during this time. May all the memories you hold dear bring great comfort.
Kim Stanton says
Thinking of you all as you mourn the passing of a man who meant so much to many. May the comfort, strength and peace of Our Lord be with you all today and in the coming days.
With love and condolences,
Kim and Kyle Stanton
Cerie Kimball says
Dear Gary, Nettie, and Bernadette,
It is with great sadness that I’ve learned of Clarence’s passing; please accept my heartfelt condolence. I hope that the love of family and friends will comfort and strengthen you in the days ahead. Always, Cerie