[1] Clarence Norman Brunsdale was born in Sherbrooke, Steele County, North Dakota.

He was educated in public schools and the Bruflat Academy at Portland, North Dakota.

He returned to Portland, teaching at Bruflat Academy and worked the family farm operations in Traill and Steele counties.

Education, agriculture, and mental health issues were also important to Governor Brunsdale.

[6][7] He was married to Carrie Lajord (1890–1982) on August 30, 1925, and they had two daughters, Margaret Marie (Larson) and Helen Lucille (Williams).