Clara Jeanne Vigstol

Minot

Clara Jeanne Vigstol, 81, of Minot, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, on the family farmstead in Minot, surrounded by family.

Clara Jeanne Vigstol was born on February 2, 1945 to Lawrence and Clarice (Olson) Schimmelpfennig. She grew up working on the family farm near Ruthville, ND, where she picked eggs and separated the cream into milk. She attended grade school in Glenburn, later graduating from Glenburn High School in 1963.

Following high school, Clara enrolled at NDSCS in Wahpeton, where she earned an associate’s degree in Secretarial Services. Clara returned to Minot and began working at Midwest Federal Credit Union until 1973. She married Lee Vigstol on August 22, 1970.

In 1973, Lee and Clara moved out to the farm permanently. While on the farm, Clara enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning, and planting her “happy bulbs” (Gladiolus flowers). Clara also loved her lunches with the girls, bowling, bingo, e-tabs, casinos, and embroidery. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, and she enjoyed attending all of their activities.

Lee and Clara retired in 2007 and enjoyed their time with each other until Lee passed away in 2017.

Clara will be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, sister, grandma, gi-gi, and auntie.

Her loving family includes: her daughter, Lisa (Jim) Miest; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Vigstol; brother, Larry Schimmelpfennig; grandchildren, Dusty (Kelley) Vigstol, McKenzie (Remington) Vigstol, Zachary (Natalia) Campana, Amialia (Thomas) Virtue; grandchildren, Allison, Gregory and Stephanie Lowe, Donavan and Patricia Murphey, and Sienna Vance; great-grandchildren, Chase Vigstol, Weston Campana, and Iris Virtue, along with numerous extended family members.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Clarice (Olson) Schimmelpfennig; husband, Lee Vigstol; children, Todd Vigstol and Patricia Vigstol; niece, Carla Schilken; sisters, Connie, Darlene, and Cynthia, and numerous aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday July 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. A visitation will take place an hour before the service starts. To view a livestream of the service, access Clara’s page on the funeral home website at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

There will be a gathering held for supper out at the farm later Thursday evening, starting at 5:00 p.m.

(Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot)

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 6, 2026.