Caledonia Argus

Posted: 10/15/02

Clyde Seekins Jr.

Retired Minnesota State Patrol Officer, badge #179, Clyde E. Seekins Jr., 79, of Caledonia, died Wednesday, October 9, 2002 at Tweeten Health Services, Spring Grove, MN. He was born to Clyde Edward Sr. and Geneva Elizabeth (McCarthy) Seekins on August 1, 1923, at Bethesda Hospital, St. Paul, MN. Clyde was baptized and confirmed at the Presbyterian Church in South St. Paul and graduated from South St. Paul High school in 1942.

In December of 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as an Electrician Mate Second Class, on the USS Torsk, USS Sea Leopard, USS Porpoise, and the USS S-11. In December of 1948, Clyde was honorably discharged with a WWII Victory Medal, an American Area Ribbon and a Good Conduct Medal.

In 1951, Clyde attended the Minn. State Highway Patrol Officer Candidate School in Minneapolis. In February of 1952, he was assigned to the Caledonia Station and in August of that same year Clyde became a Certified Minnesota State Patrolman. He was promoted to Corporal in October of 1974 and then later in his career became the Station Sergeant until his retirement in November of 1983. In addition to his career in the state patrol, Clyde worked for Bell Telephone in Caledonia; the Houston County Sheriffís Office; Mississippi River Boat Patrol; and as a contracted private investigator.

Clyde married Dolores Alencich Seekins-Link in April of 1952 at the Presbyterian Church in South St. Paul and they later divorced. He then married Charmion Strand-Sinclair in November of 1972 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia and she preceded him in death in 1998.

Clyde was a member of the Masonic Lodge #20, Osman Temple, the VFW Post 3833 and the Loveless-Eikens American Legion Post 191, all of Caledonia, and the US Submarine Veterans of WWII Minnesota Viking Squadron. He enjoy fishing, hunting, golfing, photography, making shells and bullets for firearms, riding his motorcycles and especially spending time with his three grandchildren.

Survivors include his son, Todd Seekins of Miami, FL; his daughter, Heather Seekins-Vinson, of Caledonia; three grandchildren; a sister, Leah Miller, Woodbury; a sister-in-law, Mildred Seekins of the Twin Cities; three nieces, two nephews; and a special friend, Deloris Thorson of Spring Grove.

In addition to his wife, Clyde was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and a nephew.

Services were Monday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Rolf Storlie officiating. Burial with military honors followed in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends called at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Monday from 5 p.m. until the time of service.

Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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