Clayton Wallman, 84, of Rhame, passed away on Nov. 14 at the Bowman Hospital. Funeral services for Clayton were held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the First Lutheran Church in Rhame. Pastor Mark Nygard officiated with burial to follow in the Bethany Cemetery.
Clayton Wallman, the son of Axel and Mabel Wallman, was born South of Rhame on Dec. 21, 1930. He attended Nebo School through the eighth grade and was a member of the Bethany Church. Clayton married Della Ward on Oct. 23, 1952. Together they have three children: Shannon, Rocky and Vickie.
As a teenager Clayton worked in California at a steel mill. In 1970 he helped in the building of Big Sky Ski Resort. He farmed and ranched South of Rhame, was an active member of the Nebo Township Board, worked as a carpenter for Russell Kulseth and drove the gas and oil truck for Bob Shuck. Clayton was a janitor for many years at the Rhame School. Later he helped farm with Bob Osendorf and Melvin Wagner. Clayton also worked painting houses in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Colorado.
More than anything Clayton loved to refinish furniture, including refinishing the Rhame Lutheran Church alter. He spent hours upon hours stripping old paint and restoring furniture in his workshop which jokingly became known as “Clayton’s Strip Joint.” He was a talented carpenter, and was often roped into creating detailed, creative projects with his family members. Clayton loved to go to rummage sales, auctions and flea markets looking for antiques and unique treasures. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, watching the Minnesota Twins, and spending time with his family, friends and grandchildren. We will always remember him for the loving, kind, funny and generous man he was. He was known for his favorite saying, “It’s no easy job.”
Clayton is survived by his wife of 63 years Della; daughter Shannon (Jack) Kline, Bismarck, their two children: Derek Kline, Bismarck, and Witney (Andy) Nielsen, Bismarck; son Rocky (Elizabeth) Wallman, Collinsville, Okla., their three children Casey (Brian) Barnett, their daughter Katherine, Little Rock, Ark., Talia Woltz, her son Cash, Owasso, Okla., Kendra Woltz, her son Griffin, Yukon, Okla.; daughter Vickie (Barry) Gartner, Hermantown, Minn., their dog: Porter; foster son Rex (June) Eagon, Rhame, their two children: Dillon and Kalorada; brothers: Allan (Linda) Wallman and Earl “Buddy” (Shirley) Wallman; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, brother Albert and sisters Francis Dillon and Ilene Abney.
