Rev. Clarence H. Landis


Clarence Henry Landis was born at Quakertown, PA on March 19, 1921 the son of Harry Fretz and Beulah Francis (Allem) Landis. He graduated from Quakertown High School in 1939 and started farming. On February 1, 1942, he married Laura Lillian Landis at the East Swamp Mennonite Church near Quakertown. They continued to farm and in 1948, they moved to Omaha where Clarence attended Grace Bible Institute (now Grace University). After graduation, he served United Methodist Churches in Red Oak, Elliott (& Pilot Grove), Blockton (& Redding, Middlefork), College Springs (& Braddyville, Shambaugh), Schaller (& Arthur), Rippy (& Fairview). Clarence also had served as an interim minister at the Griswold Presbyterian Church. During his first years of ministry, he attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He was later ordained an Elder with the United Methodist Church. He and Lillian retired to Atlantic in 1986 and for the next 15 years, he was visitation pastor for the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. He moved to Griswold in October 2007, where he was active in the Griswold United Methodist Church.


Clarence loved people, a good story, serving in the Lions Club, collecting coins, and especially his family and his Lord. He loved nature, was an amateur furrier, bird caller, and hunter. Just as he loved his family he loved his church family. Clarence and Lillian sang together on the radio early in their marriage. They also were part of the group that started Camp Aldersgate near Stanton in 1958. Clarence enjoyed working with youth in their "camping" experiences.


Clarence died Friday, May 16, 2014 at the Griswold Care Center at the age of 93 years, 1 month and 27 days. He was preceded in death by his wife L. Lillian on February 1, 2012, his children in infancy Martha, Karen and Randall, his great granddaughter Kayleen Amos and his brother Stanley.


Clarence is survived by his children and spouses: Laura Amos and husband Milton of Griswold, IA; Sharon Ketelsen and husband Steve of Verdon, NE; Rev. Bill Landis and wife Jo of Antioch, IL; and Marilyn Swanson and husband Don of Omaha, NE; his grandchildren: Jeff Amos and wife Patti, Mike Amos and wife Kyla, Bob Amos and wife Jolene, Shannon Jones and husband Scott, Shae Dalke and husband Mike, Kara Lehnhardt and husband Jason, Rachel Landis, Jacob Landis, Justin Swanson and wife Mandy, and Grant Swanson; and sixteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother Walter Landis of Jackson, WY and his sister Margaret Miller of Sellersville, PA.



Funeral services will be Friday, May 23, 2014 at the Griswold United Methodist Church at 10:00 AM, Pastor Dwight Grosvenor officiating. Open visitation will be held at the Duhn Funeral home until 1:00 Thursday and then after 2:00 Thursday at the Griswold United Methodist Church. The family will be present at the Church from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Burial will be in the Whipple Cemetery northwest of Griswold.