Clarence Just

clarence just

Clarence (Chuck) Allen Just (1935-2014) peacefully passed away on Saturday April, 5 surrounded by his family and friends. 

Clarence was born May 9, 1935 the eldest of 3 boys to Reinhold & Lydia Just in Berlin, ND.  He graduated from LaMoure High School and later graduated from NDSU with an Engineering Degree.  After college he began working with the Bureau of Reclamation East Bench project in Dillon, MT, where he met the love of his life for 50 years, Joanne.  They were married August 18, 1963 in Hamilton, MT. They followed the Bureau to Lovell, Wyoming where their son Kevin was born, later transferring to Casper where their daughter Janel was born.  The Garrison Project lured them to Oakes in 1969 until 1988 when Chuck retired from the Bureau to engage in private engineering, C.A. Just Engineering & Surveying. In 2004 Chuck and Joanne moved to Lake Park, MN and resided on Middle Cormorant Lake until 2013.  In 2014 they moved to Fargo. In Oakes, he served as Financial Secretary for a number of years as well as serving on the Board of Lay Ministry for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes.  He and Joanne were also members of Cormorant Lutheran Church before transferring to Beautiful Savior in Fargo.  Chuck was very active in Lions in Oakes & Cormorant and an avid fan of the NDSU Bison Football team and all his grandchildren’s activities.  He enjoyed time with his family and friends as much as possible, golf, fishing, sports, being at the lake on his pontoon, and playing cards and giving rides on his tractor.

Chuck was a dedicated husband, father and brother.  He is survived by his wife Joanne, children, Kevin Gilbert, Az and Janel Brooks (Michael) Fargo, 5 grandchildren, Kelsie, Samantha, Andrew, Hannah & Jonathan, 2 brothers Dennis (Doris) Berlin, ND and Harold, Minneapolis, MN, two Brother & sister-n-laws Bob (Jane) Popham and Dale (Dianne) Huhtanen, and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Reinhold & Lydia Just, a sister who died at birth, a brother-in-law Don Popham and a nephew Brad Popham. 

Donations may be made in honor of Chuck to the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo.

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  1. Casper WYWe moved to Oakes in 1983 after my dad’s work with the Bureau of Reclamation transferred us from CO. This was quite a change for our family and one I’m sure my parents had little choice in. Chuck was my dad, Jim’s boss at the Oakes office. My dad couldn’t have dreamed of a better person to ever work with. Chuck was monumental in my dad’s career and a true friend to him. Chuck was a gentle,soft spoken man always interested in others. Our lives are all better because we had the privilege of calling the Justs our friends. Rest in peace Chuck. We look forward to meeting again someday!

  2. Northville MIKnow that our prayers for Chuck and the families he touched are with all of you. His presence will always be a part of the way you live and love. We wish you the peace of knowing he is safely at rest with God’s love.

  3. Linton ND
    My thoughts and prayers are going out to you all. You were fortunate enough to have such an incredible person in your lives, who will now be able to watch you from Heaven.

  4. Oakes ND
    We are thinking of you all and are in our prayers. Our thoughts will be with you all day Friday. We wish we could be with you. Garry has an appointment in Mayo on the 16th and he is still in the hospital in Oakes. Garry and Kay

  5. LaMoure ND
    In the early 80s I played on an all star baseball team out in Delta Colorado…along with Kevin. Kevin and I ended up with the same host family and Chuck took us out for a “good” steak supper. S uprisingly enough I was shy so I ordered a petite steak meal, and turned to see a somewhat disgusted look on Chucks face. He sternly asked ” Have you EVER ordered a petite ANYTHING before?” I said no and got a stern “Then don’t start now!!!” …Needless to say Chuck made sure I was well fed throughout the Delta trip..and I received plenty of grief from him in the following years. The whole family has always been awesome to this LaMoure boy..I’ll remember Chuck always.. my best to the rest..you’re in my thoughts.

  6. Catlett VirginiaTo the entire family, my deepest sympathies. You have lost an awesome husband, father, grandpa, and uncle. I have lost a man I considered a friend. Chuck and Joanne were such awesome hosts, opening their lake home to me every time I came to town to do a little fishing with the family. He leaves a little piece of himself with each of us and we are all better people because of him. Love to you all.

  7. Fargo, ND
    Lake Park, MN
    I will fondly remember Chuck’s easy going personality, his willingness/eagerness to help whenever needed, and his love of family.

    One of my first lake projects was laying down some sod over a tired garden. I was working pretty hard with shovel, rake and sod, when Chuck cam over with his rototiller to save the day. He subsequently got down and dirty helping lay down two large trailers full of sod. What a guy!

    Chuck was always available to share tools, cords, and gadgets… as an engineer, he had plenty of these to share!

    Chuck should be honored, as he clearly made family a priority. He spoke of his wife, kids and grandkids with fondness. More importantly, he devoted time, interest, and love into these people. He would travel to be with family: baseball, track, volleyball, Arizona trips, etc. In addition, the Just home always had some family action going on most weekends at the lake. What memories!

    His love for Joanne came through at all times, even during the difficulty of his illness. He showed love and great concern for Joanne’s health even as he was dealing with his own health issues. Thinking of others before himself… this is modeling Christ.

    It has been an honor and blessing to call Chuck Just my friend.

  8. We were lucky enough to have purchased their house in Oakes ND
    . When I was growing up, I always dreamed of living in that house. Knowing the love that Chuck and Joanne had put into that house while building it, just made it the perfect family home. My brother ran around with Kevin, and of course I knew Janel from school. Oakes was like one big family where everyone knew each other. Chuck was always the nicest guy when you seen him, and had a smile that just made a person feel good. He will truly be missed but his smile and spirit will forever be remembered.

  9. Lidgerwood ND
    A lot of memories have returned to me about our days together in the Co-op House at ND
    AC. (now ND
    SU) I’m so sorry to hear of Clarence’s passing.


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