C.O. Gransberg was born Clarence Orpheus Gransberg on January 5, 1926, on his grandparents’ farm in Hatton, North Dakota. He was the son of Clarence “Clay” Gransberg and Hildegarde Kamphaugh Gransberg, the oldest of four children. He was a man of unusual honor, strength, and loyalty, who has carried the weight for his family, always putting them first. He served in the Navy during WWII, enlisting at 17 years old, and serving through the end of the war, through multiple invasions and engagements in the pacific. He served because it was right, and he sought no attention for it. C.O. married Juanita Lou Clemetson, who predeceased him. Their two children survive them; Douglas (Gwen) Gransberg and Cheryl (Del) Wade. He has four beloved grandchildren; Jodie (Simon) Bierbach, Lindi Wade, Nils (Scarlett) Gransberg and Erik Gransberg, as well as great granddaughters Kaitlynn and Annabelle Gransberg, and future granddaughter in law, Audrey Baker.
C.O. moved to Montana as a teenager, and lived the rest of his life there. He was mathematically gifted, educating himself to become a highway engineer, building the roads of Montana for over 30 years. Retiring from the Montana DOT, he and Juanita opened a Scandia Down retail store that thrived until they sold it in the 1990’s. They were active, loved, and respected in their community. C.O. lived at Mission Ridge for a number of years before moving to Norman, Oklahoma to spend the end of his life with his son’s family. He lived a rich and inspiring life, and will be missed sorely. He passed from this life on October 15, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma, and will be buried next to Juanita and his family in Billings, Montana. Memorial services will be announced later, for Norman, Oklahoma and Billings, Montana.
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