Clement “Clem” Leonard Mares, age 90 of Prior Lake passed away August 24, 2014. The visitation is Tuesday, August 26, 2014 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at the Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake. Father Thomas Sieg will preside. Clem will be laid to rest next to his wife, Delores at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in New Prague.
On May 9, 1924 Clement Leonard Mares was born to parents Frank and Emma (Hertaus) Mares in Union Hill. Clem was the third of seven children, and loved growing up with his siblings. In 1930 the Mares family moved to a farm in Credit River, and Clem remained there the rest of his life. He attended school through the 8th grade and then began farming full time.
As a young man Clem enjoyed attending dances and social events. Clem was having a great time and enjoying life, but his friends thought it was time for him to settle down. One of his friends had just the girl for Clem, a nice young woman from NE Minneapolis named Delores Wincek. Clem and Delores hit it off immediately, and it wasn’t long before they were in love. The two exchanged wedding vows at St. Clement Catholic Church in Minneapolis. After they were married, Delores joined Clem on the farm and helped to share the workload.
Clem was a lifelong farmer, and farming was one of the most important things in his life after family and faith. Clem loved having lots of space so he and Delores could have dogs and rabbits. Clem also enjoyed having all of his tractors and equipment. He always had the Allis Chalmers and Ford tractors in the best condition. If something was broken or needed a repair, he would fix it himself. Clem wasn’t just handy though, he was also very creative. He was always building and creating beautiful things. He built storage sheds and scooters, remodeled the house and even made a crystal set by hand. Clem could do it all.
He enjoyed traveling with Delores. The two frequently took day trips “Up North” together to Mille Lacs and Duluth. Clem continued to travel even after Delores passed away. They also loved to go dancing together, because it brought them back to the first time they met at a ballroom. Clem’s world was turned upside down when his beloved Delores passed away on April 11, 1998. Clem remained at the farm for a number of years, but he eventually moved to Highview Hills Senior Living to be closer to his sister, Mary Jo.
Clem went to be with the Lord the early morning hours of Sunday, August 24, 2014. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at Highview Hills. Clem was a kind, soft-hearted man and a friend to everyone he met.
Clem will always be remembered by his sisters, Mary Jo Austin, Angeline (Tom) Stone, Nancy Lisherness; 16 nieces and nephews; other loving relatives and many friends. Clem is preceded in death by his wife, Delores Mares; parents; brothers, Myles Mares and Ewald Mares; sister, Edith Kippley.
