Clifford J. Moquist of O.C. Shulz & Sons dies at 90
Clifford J. Moquist of O.C. Shulz & Sons dies at 90
Clifford J. Moquist, a well-known name in the Red River Valley potato industry, died Dec. 19 at age 90 in Melbourne, FL. Mr. Moquist, of Crystal, ND, was a founding partner of O.C. Shulz & Sons Inc., a farming and potato wash plant operation in Crystal.
He was born in Minneapolis to Swedish immigrant parents, and grew up in Minnesota, New York City, East Meredith, NY, and Farmingdale, NY.
He served during World War II with the 44th Infantry Division and the 726th MP Battalion, first in France and subsequently in the Pacific on Okinawa, preparing for the invasion of Japan.
After the war, Mr. Moquist settled in Crystal, where he married Elsie Shulz in 1946 and began working on his father-in-law's farm. He founded O.C. Schulz & Sons with his two brothers-in-law in 1960.
He was very active locally, and served in the state House of Representatives representing Pembina County from 1967 to 1970. He was instrumental in the creation and construction of the Farmers Elevator, Crystal Oil & Fertilizer and Crystal Chippers among other ventures in the community.
Mr. Moquist was a past-president of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association and received the organizations Meritorious Service Award in 1984. He represented North Dakota on the National Potato Council and was a member of the American Farm Bureaus national commodity advisory committee. He was an elder of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Crystal.
He is survived by two sons, Dale Moquist and his wife, Carol, of Missouri City, TX; and David Moquist and his wife, JoAnn, of Crystal; a sister, Eva Seaman, of Chambersburg, PA; and eight grandchildren.
Services were held Dec. 23 from the Jensen-Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier, ND, to St. Johns Lutheran Church, with interment in St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery in Crystal. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery Fund, Highway 18, Crystal, ND 58222 or to any charity of the givers choosing.
He was born in Minneapolis to Swedish immigrant parents, and grew up in Minnesota, New York City, East Meredith, NY, and Farmingdale, NY.
He served during World War II with the 44th Infantry Division and the 726th MP Battalion, first in France and subsequently in the Pacific on Okinawa, preparing for the invasion of Japan.
After the war, Mr. Moquist settled in Crystal, where he married Elsie Shulz in 1946 and began working on his father-in-law's farm. He founded O.C. Schulz & Sons with his two brothers-in-law in 1960.
He was very active locally, and served in the state House of Representatives representing Pembina County from 1967 to 1970. He was instrumental in the creation and construction of the Farmers Elevator, Crystal Oil & Fertilizer and Crystal Chippers among other ventures in the community.
Mr. Moquist was a past-president of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association and received the organizations Meritorious Service Award in 1984. He represented North Dakota on the National Potato Council and was a member of the American Farm Bureaus national commodity advisory committee. He was an elder of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Crystal.
He is survived by two sons, Dale Moquist and his wife, Carol, of Missouri City, TX; and David Moquist and his wife, JoAnn, of Crystal; a sister, Eva Seaman, of Chambersburg, PA; and eight grandchildren.
Services were held Dec. 23 from the Jensen-Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier, ND, to St. Johns Lutheran Church, with interment in St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery in Crystal. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Johns Lutheran Cemetery Fund, Highway 18, Crystal, ND 58222 or to any charity of the givers choosing.
