Monson, Clifford R. (1920-2014)

MONSON, WOLF, DIISCHER, MANESS, TAYLOR, WOBBEMA, CORCORAN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/7/2014 at 22:25:20

Clifford R. Monson
February 07, 1920 - March 06, 2014

Storm Lake, Iowa

Clifford Roland (Ole) Monson stepped into glory on March 6, 2014, at the age of 94.

Clifford loved the Lord and valued his relationship with Jesus far above any earthly attraction. While attending the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference in August of 1950, he made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He continued to grow in his love and knowledge of the Lord until his passing. After Jesus, Cliff had no greater love than for his family which included his beloved wife, Helen, and children, Roland, Lynn, Darwin, and Carmen. He loved being a dad, father-in-law, and grandpa. He quickly embraced those who lacked a father/grandfather figure in their lives and had an incredible impact on everyone he met.

Cliff also loved music. He began playing the trumpet and singing as a young man at Hospers High School in Hospers, Iowa. He and Helen sang countless solos and duets throughout the years, and he enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren hymns as they worked, played, or just rode along in the car. He first led worshippers in music as a young man in the military while he traveled with the chaplain to perform during worship services. After returning home, he was the song and choir leader at the Presbyterian Church in Hospers, Iowa, and then at the First Baptist Church and the Hope Evangelical Free Church, both in Storm Lake. A member of the Storm Lake Barber Shoppers, he, also, participated in community theatre and the community band.

Cliff took a good deal of pride in his military service. After marrying Helen on February 15, 1943, he was drafted into the Army/Air force to serve during World War II. A supervisor of the Air Corps Motor Pool, he was responsible for maintaining the fleet and driving various visiting dignitaries to their destinations.

After returning home from the War, Cliff worked as an auto mechanic. His love of cars began at the age of 10 when he needed to drive the family car for his mother after his father passed. In due time, Cliff, along with Helen’s brother, opened Ole & Berg’s Garage in Hospers. He also worked for Verschoors as a mechanic. In 1959, he was recruited to help open the new service center for Fitzpatrick Auto in Storm Lake.

Next, Cliff became the Chief Engineer at the Buena Vista County Hospital. He remained there until he retired in 1985. Shortly thereafter, however, he decided to return to the workforce at Bomgaars in Storm Lake where he assembled all of the merchandise that required his expertise. Around the age of 89, he retired for a second time.

During his free time, Cliff loved to go for a ride with his beautiful bride, Helen, work on automobiles, sing, play solitaire, and do crossword puzzles. He passed his love for these activities onto his children and grandchildren. While he will be deeply missed, his family looks forward to seeing him again one day in Paradise.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Roland (Roberta) Monson, of Wichita, Kansas, Lynn (Fred) Wolf, of Aurelia, Iowa, Darwin Monson, of Storm Lake, Iowa, and Carmen (Howie) Diischer, of Storm Lake, Iowa; ten grandchildren: Rolanda (David) Maness; Alison (Tyler Simoens), Darci, Reginald, Robert (Kelli), and Tim (Taryn) Monson; Sarah (Jack) Taylor; John (Trish) and Paul (Christine) Wolf; and Callie (Andy) Wobbema; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen; his parents, Ole and Katie Monson; and his siblings, Adolf, Elmer, and Oscar Monson and Sadie Corcoran as well as an infant brother.

Visitation: 1:00 p.m., March 08, 2014, at the First Baptist Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., March 08, 2014, at the First Baptist Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Interment: March 08, 2014, at the Storm Lake Cemetery in Storm Lake, Iowa.

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