July 30, 1948 – Sunday, January 12, 2014

Service Information
St. Mary’s Church, Red Lake, MN
Thursday, January 16, 2014
2:00 P.M.

Visitation Information
Red Lake Community Center, Red Lake, MN
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Beginning at 7:00 P.M.

Clarence Joseph ‘Joe’ Sayers Sr., age 65, Journeyed to the Spirit World on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at Indian Health Services in Red Lake.

He was born July 30, 1948 to Ida Marie ‘Baby Girl’ Sayers and Alvin ‘Skippy’ Carl in Red Lake, Minnesota

Joe was educated in Red Lake, graduating from Red Lake High School in 1967. Upon his graduation, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army serving from 1967 – 1971. Joe served in the Viet Nam war and was awarded two purple hearts. Upon his honorable discharge Joe embarked on a career as a Race Relations Advocate and worked tirelessly improving race relations for all Native Americans until health issues forced him into an early retirement.

In his younger years Joe enjoyed sports and was a talented basketball player. Joe especially loved travelling to powwows all over Indian Country. Joe also loved trips to casinos to gamble and socialize. Joe had many life-long friends from his travels.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents: Ida Marie“ Baby Girl” and Alvin “Skippy” Carl, and several aunts and uncles. Joe was also preceded in death by two children, John ‘Jack’ Sayers and Clarence “JR” Sayers. Also preceding Joe was his aunt Florence King who helped raise him.

Joe is survived by his children Francis ‘Frank’ Blue and Florence ‘Flo’ Sayers and a special sister Mary Brun.

Funeral services for Clarence Sayers Sr. will be held on Thursday, January 16th, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Red Lake. Father Jerry Rogers will be the Celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake.

All Night wakes will be held on Tuesday, January 14th and Wednesday, January 15th beginning at 7:00 P.M. at The Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake, Minnesota

Honorary Casket Bearers are Francis ‘Chunky’ Brun, James “Jimmy Boy’ Brun, Donald Cook Sr., Fabian ‘Nickel’ Cook, Hank Cook, Roman “Ducker’ Stately, Dwight ‘Iggy’ Sayers, Fabian Sayers, Jackie Sayers, Rae Lynn Sayers and staff and friends at Jourdain-Perpich Extended Care Facility in Red Lake.

Casket Bearers are Brian Brun Sr., Ronald Brun, Patrick Brun, Curtis Jourdain Sr., Jason King, Richard ‘Dahl’ Cook, Franklin ‘Will’ Beaulieu, Donald ‘Donnie Bo’ Brun, Ramon Sayers, Jim King, and Francis ‘Zonce’ Brun.

Military honors provided by Red Lake VFW Post 6889. Traveling and Honor Songs provided by Eyabay.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted, Minnesota is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.chilsonfuneralhome.com