Mass of Christian Burial for Clarence Drietz, 92, of Marshall, will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with a CCW Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. at the Remembrance Center. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Minneota. Military honors provided by U.S. American Legion Post 199 of Minneota. A private family interment will take place at a later date at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in Minneota.
Clarence Edward Drietz was born on May 11, 1933, to John Anton Drietz and Mamie Josephine Knofcynski. He was the second of five boys growing up on the family farm near Ivanhoe, Minnesota. He graduated from Canby High School in 1952. He enlisted in the Army in 1953, and after serving for three years, served in the Army Reserves until 1961. He married Margaret Flemming on September 25, 1957, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota, Minnesota. The union was blessed with two daughters and two additional children that died young. Clarence enlisted in the Navy in June of 1966 and continued along his military career until April of 1986. His assignments as a Seabee included locations in California, Washington state, Texas, Guam, and Japan, as well as several tours in Viet Nam during the war. After retiring from the military Clarence worked for the Post Office in the Seattle, Washington area. Clarence and Margaret eventually moved back to Marshall, Minnesota while wintering in McAllen, Texas. His wife of 64 years died in 2022.
Clarence died on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, under hospice care at the home of his daughter Debbie and her husband Ken Henrickson in Cold Spring, Minnesota. His daughter Terri Mohrweis resides in Mesa, Arizona. Clarence is also survived by seven grandchildren: Elizabeth Runyans of Virginia, Robert Henrickson of Colorado, Therese McMillan of Georgia, Catherine Layne of Kentucky, Thomas Henrickson of Kentucky, Chris Mohrweis of Arizona, and John Mohrweis of Arizona; 15 great-grandchildren; and brothers Jarroll Drietz and David Drietz. Greeting him in heaven are his parents, his two brothers Donald and Leonard, son-in-law Bill Mohrweis, and his loving and devoted wife Margaret.
We want to thank everyone for joining us in celebrating the life of Clarence. He was a devout Catholic and a faith-filled man. All who knew him were drawn by his sincere humility and generosity towards others. He had an incredible work ethic that enabled him to provide abundantly for his family while still finding the time to help others too. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards, and especially a good cup of coffee. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, as he recited the rosary throughout the day and eventually died peacefully listening to the rosary from his iPad. Clarence will be deeply missed by his family, but we find solace knowing he is now praying for us all until we are reunited with him in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to St. Edward School: https://www.stedscatholicschool.com/
