Clair E. Eigen

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Clair E. Eigen, 79, of Humboldt died Saturday, January 28, 2017 after struggling with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, February 2, 2017 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Humboldt. Burial will be the church cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Clair Edward Eigen was the oldest of eight children born to Charlotte and Edward. He grew up in Comfrey, MN working on the farm, playing baseball, and as a teenager causing mayhem in the community with his practical jokes.

Upon high school graduation, Clair's father advised him to get a job in the city as he felt there was no future in farming. Clair lived in Minneapolis, MN and Fargo, ND having careers in trucking, sales, and manufacturing. He married twice bringing four children into the world. After raising his family he heard the calling of the land and moved back to Comfrey, MN and then finally Humboldt, SD.

In year 2000, Clair was age 62 when he built a ranch from the ground up in SD. He pursued his life's dream of raising Black Angus cattle. He spent his retirement years as a steward of the land and protector of his herd. He was a great man, a great mentor, and a devoted husband of nearly 52 years.

He was a wise, patient, and kind father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was grounded by a gentle nature and fierce principles. He was rooted in honesty, integrity, and a sense of humor. He was generous with his labor, knowledge, and stories that usually included an infectious belly laugh.

Clair was a cowboy at heart. He was drawn to the Old West and thrilled by cattle drives between his corrals or ones that ran across the highway.  He was a firearm dealer and collector. He was an avid hunter in his earlier years spending many deer and waterfowl trips with family and friends.

Grateful for having shared his life are his three daughters, Julie Yde, Sioux Falls, Teresa Eigen, Phoenix, AZ, and Lisa Beckett, Ashland, OR; grandchildren, Charles (Nikki) Eigen, Sioux City, IA, Dane and Katrina Yde, Sioux Falls, Alea Beckett, Ashland, OR, Jordan (Ashley) Beckett, Medford, OR and great granddaughter, Marion Claire Beckett; his siblings, Ike Eigen, Ed Eigen, Marion Fleming, and Chuck Eigen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Charlotte, wife, Janice, son, Jeffrey, son in law,    J. R. Yde, grandson, Jorgen Yde and his siblings, Thomas, Maureen and Marlin.