Clifford Alexander Golden 1922-2010

GOLDEN LATHAM

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/14/2011 at 21:35:55

Sioux City Journal
2 August 2010

SMITHLAND, Iowa -- Clifford A. Golden, 88, of Smithland died Friday, July 30, 2010, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa.

Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton, with Pastor Len Garrison officiating. Burial will be in St. Clair Cemetery at Ute, Iowa, with military graveside honors provided by the American Legion, Leslie Seaton Post 0666 of Smithland. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Wednesday at the funeral home.

Clifford Alexander Golden was born March 30, 1922, at Mapleton, Iowa, the son of Alexander Joel and Eva Nancy (Latham) Golden. He grew up in rural Holly Springs, Iowa, and graduated from Holly Springs High School with the class of 1940. He was then recruited into the U.S. Army with a plan that he would serve one year. Due to the outbreak of World War II, he served over five years. In December of 1941, he was active and wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Purple Heart on the spot. After minimal treatment he was sent back into battle to find his unit. He was later awarded three Bronze Battle Stars. Upon his honorable discharge, Clifford returned home a changed man. His life's work was in farming and working in Sioux City.

He was a member of the American Legion, Leslie Seaton Post 0666 of Smithland.

He is survived by one sister, Ann Harris of Livonia, Mich.; one brother and his wife, Darrell and Donna Golden of Omaha, Neb.; nieces and nephews, Vicki Meyer and her husband, Brian of Minneapolis, Minn., Sarah Abernathy and her husband, Dave of Lucas, Texas, and David Golden and his wife, Krista of Ann Arbor, Mich.; along with numerous other nieces and nephews who reside in various parts of the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to your local Salvation Army Office.