“Hugs and Lutefisk” by Joanne Oyen

I have many fond memories of visiting with Clyde. Two things in particular stand out. These are his wonderfully special hugs and his virtually insatiable love of lutefisk!

Whenever we got together, I was always greeted with a smile and the biggest and best hug anyone could ever get. When told that it was the best and greatest hug ever– he would always enthusiastically respond with yet another one, if possible, even better than the first.

Lutefisk! Oh how Clyde loved lutefisk. For a number of years, I have served an annual Holiday “Oyen Lutefisk luncheon” for Ada, Gladys, Bem, Clyde, my son Steve (only cousin that admits to liking lutefisk) and my husband, Bob, a German-wanna-be-Norweign. Clyde smiled and ate, smiled and ate, thoroughly enjoying every bite and there was never any left on the platter! I often wondered how many pounds he could eat! It was a joy for me this past January to take the lutefisk luncheon to Clyde and Bem in their apartment. He still smiled and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. We will have two empty chairs this year, missing both Gladys and Clyde.

Clyde was a warm, gentle, caring and insightful man! I will miss him– Joanne Oyen

 

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