Nathan L. Clary, age 71, of Pipestone, MN and formerly of Flandreau, died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at his home.
Nathan Lee Clary was born January 11, 1949 in Le Mars, IA to Bertha and Earl Clary. He was raised on his family’s acreage near Hudson, SD. From the time he could walk, Nathan loved to be outside. He spent his childhood helping on the farm and hunting, fishing, trapping and exploring on and around the Big Sioux and Rock Rivers, near his home. He graduated from Hudson High School in 1968. He settled in Hudson, where he started a family and worked in the area as a machinist. He also worked later as a carpenter and a smelter. Nathan moved to Sioux Falls in 1995. In September of 1997 he began working as a machinist at Graco in Sioux Falls. That year he also formally established his own business, Clary’s Custom Comps, which he operated out of his garage. He married Paula Tenney on December 3, 1997 in New Hope, MN.
In 2000, Nathan and Paula moved to Flandreau. He continued to work at Graco. In 2009 Nathan and Paula opened Clary’s Custom Comps and Gunworks in downtown Flandreau. Nathan spent most of his free time at his shop, where he continually expanded the custom gunsmithing services he offered. Over the years he built a large and loyal customer base which extended to many areas of the country. He was known for the precision, creativity, and excellence of his work. In 2014 he retired from Graco to run CC&G full-time, which he did until his accident. Nathan was an avid hunter and fisherman. He hunted in several states and most enjoyed these trips when he could go with family and friends. He was a master trap shooter, having belonged to the Moody County Sportsman’s’ Club for many years.
Nathan’s other interest was motorcycling. He loved to ride and began attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the early 1990’s and attended the rally annually through 2016. On June 23, 2018 Nathan was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident which left him with serious physical injuries and a traumatic brain injury. He spent the next 15 months in hospitals, rehab units and nursing care facilities, fighting for the goal of returning home which he achieved on September 26, 2019.
Survivors include his wife: Paula of Pipestone, MN; one daughter: Kimberly Clary; two sons: Matthew (Kyle) Clary and Patrick (Rhiannon) Clary; and two grandchildren: Zoe and Jude Clary, all of Sioux Falls; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Lisa and Todd Peterson of New Hope, MN; a niece and nephew and many extended family and dear friends.
Nathan was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Dawn; his parents, and his mother-in-law, Carol Tenney.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Pipestone. Memorial service will be on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Pipestone. Arrangements are with the Hartquist Funeral Home – Pipestone Chapel. To sign an online registry visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.