Claud M. Wardian

Claud M. Wardian LAYTON - Claud Wardian, 86, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2009, at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Clearfield. He was born on July 24, 1923, in Avon, Minnesota, the 9th of 11 children of Edward J. Wardian and Monica Abeln Wardian. The family later moved to Cloquet and he graduated from Cloquet High School in 1941. Claud volunteered for military service during WWII. As his first mission, he was part of the second wave to land on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day. He was then assigned to the 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized). His unit received the Presidential Citation for their operations at the Battle of the Bulge; they liberated two concentration camps and were the first American troops to enter Paris in 1944. He married Lois Mae Meisner in Minnesota on March 26, 1949. They had two children. Claud worked for the Federal Government for 27 years, beginning at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, WA, and transferring to Hill AFB, UT, in 1957. He lived in Clearfield and Layton and retired from Hill in 1975. After retiring he co-owned and operated The Copy Shop in Ogden, UT. He enjoyed fishing and was an avid golfer, taking up the sport after retirement. Claud is survived by his wife, Lois, son Mark, daughter Dianne (Alan) Cole and grandson Rylan Cole, all of Layton; sister Rita, Seattle, WA; brother Lloyd, Spokane, WA; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight brothers and sisters. The family would like to thank the staffs at Rocky Mountain Care Center and Hearts for Hospice for all their kind and compassionate care, with special thanks and gratitude to his aide at Rocky Mountain, Allan Bravo, for the attentive care and friendship he extended to Dad during his stay there. Friends and family may gather Tuesday, October 6, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road to celebrate Claud’s life. His daughter will speak briefly at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the organization of your choice.