Donald James Clayton

DONALD JAMES CLAYTON, age 86 of Waseca, passed away on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at The Emeralds of Faribault.

Born in Waseca on January 27, 1935, Donald was the son of Roy and Marian (Wood) Clayton. He attended school in Waseca and graduated from Waseca High School with the class of 1953. Donald was active in both band and choir in school. He spent a lot of time at his grandparents’ farm where he developed an interest in agriculture and dairy farming and he later continued his education at Southern School of Agriculture in Waseca. Donald was married to Dorothy Ewest on September 3, 1960 at Trinity-Wilton Lutheran Church near Waseca. He served in the US Army from November 1957 until August 1959. Following his marriage and honorable discharge from the service he returned to farm in Waseca in Wilton Township until his retirement in 1999. After retirement, he continued to help his sons on the farm. He was a lifelong member of Trinity-Wilton Lutheran Church and was a quiet, kind, ever-present man who cared about his faith, his family, his cows, and the land. He enjoyed music, woodworking, farming, attending his children and grandchildren’s activities, and watching the Twins. He was a member of the Waseca Cooperative Creamery, served on church council, and was a DHIA board member.

Donald is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Waseca; his children, Brenda (Mike) McConnell of Plymouth, MN; Bill (Sofy) Clayton, Larry (Cindy) Clayton, and Sandy (Chad) Schumacher, all of Waseca; nine grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and numerous aunts; uncles; and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Don’s family.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, September 20, 2021 at Trinity-Wilton Lutheran Church, with Rev. Larry Sipe officiating. Interment will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.