Clifford L. J Walker

Clifford L. Walker  went home to be with the Lord on Saturday Feb. 23, 2019. He was  90 years old. 

Clifford Lee Walker was born December 6, 1928, to Archie and Linnie (Baker) Walker in Springville, Iowa. He was the third of four children (Alberta, Glen, Clifford, Clyde) in the Walker family. 

 When Cliff was 2 years old the family moved to Elma, Iowa.  Cliff was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elma, Iowa.  On May 24, 1947, Cliff graduated from Elma High School and started work at Oliver Tractor Factory in Charles City, Iowa.  In March 1948 Cliff joined the U.S. Air Force.  He took basic training at Lackland, Texas.  Cliff focused on aircraft maintenance while in Rantoul, Illinois, for schooling.  He was stationed at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, Arizona working on T-3 and F-80 jets. December 1949 Cliff was honorably discharged from the Air Force.  September 24, 1950, Cliff married Arlene Schmidt at Zion Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, Minnesota.  Clifford managed a Spring Valley, MN, gas station and repaired TVs as a side business. In 1957 Cliff begin work at Gopher Aviation in Rochester, MN where he worked on the aircraft instrument panels. In 1965 Cliff began work for People’s Natural Gas Company.  He progressed from a local rep to a certified corrosion technician, retiring after 26 years of service.  Other volunteer accomplishments included 17 years at the Stewartville Fire Department, President of the Chamber of Commerce, active Charter membership in the Stewartville Lions Club (received Lion’s Club awards:  Lion of the Year, Helen Keller and Melvin Jones recognition), delivered meals on wheels to Stewartville residents, and donated over 100 pints of blood throughout his days for the Mayo Clinic.  He also served on the board for many years at the Stewartville Senior Center, served on the church council, served on the Wee Care Board, and was a trustee and usher at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stewartville, MN.

Clifford is survived by his wife, Arlene Walker (celebrated 68 years of marriage), of Stewartville, MN, son Dave and Sharon (Gisler) Walker of Buffalo, MN, and daughter Sharon (Walker) and Keith Larson of Aurora, CO.  Grandchildren include:  Coreen Kendzora (Ella and Zane) of Buffalo, MN, Andrea and Rick Michalak (Ryan, Meghan, and Gavin) of Otsego, MN, Monica and Matt Larsen (Olivia, Noora, Johanna, Ester, and Boaz) of Gothenburg, Sweden, Nathan Walker and Christopher Wells of Atlanta, GA., Krystal (Larson) and Tim Welland (Evan) of Denver, CO, Nicole Larson of Aurora, CO, and many more extended family and friends.

Clifford’s celebration of life will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville, MN on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Lyle Fritsch officiating. A time of visitation will take place from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00.  Burial will be at the Spring Valley Cemetery in Spring Valley,MN  Please send your condolences to Arlene Walker c/o the Stewartville Care Center/ 120 4th St. N.E./ Stewartville,MN 55976.  Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville.  Condolences and memories of Clifford are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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