Cliff, Cherry Jane 1930 - 2011

CLIFF, PRATT

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2011 at 21:04:48

Cherry Jane Cliff
(September 1, 1930 - May 24, 2011)

Kingsley, Iowa – Cherry J. Cliff, 80, of Kingsley, Iowa, passed away Tuesday evening, May 24, 2011, at the Kingsley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Kingsley, with the Rev. Roger Kurtenbach officiating. Interment will be in the Kingsley Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at the Johnson-Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley, with the family present from 5-8:00 p.m. A prayer service is scheduled at 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue at the United Methodist Church on Friday morning, one hour prior to Cherry’s service.

Cherry Jane Cliff was born at Mrs. Murphy’s Maternity Home in Kingsley on September 1, 1930, the daughter and youngest child of James Thomas and Jennie Belle (Pratt) Cliff. She graduated from the Union Consolidated School in 1948. Following high school, Cherry furthered her education at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1958, Cherry was employed as a secretary at her beloved Union Consolidated School. When the school closed, she had the opportunity to join the staff at the Remsen-Union Elementary School. She retired in 1989, following 32 years of tenure within the school system.

Cherry was a life-long resident of Union Township, where she resided on the family farm. She loved country living and the joy of spending hours admiring the view from her front porch. She remained on the farm until February of 2010, at which time, she became a resident of the Kingsley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Cherry was a devoted member of the Union Presbyterian Church until 2006, when the church closed. She graciously served her faith in many capacities, such as decorating, documenting the church heritage, and serving on a variety of committees. Cherry also spent numerous hours of volunteering her time and decorating talents at the Plymouth County Museum and at the Char-Mac Assisted Living in Lawton. Some of Cherry’s other passions in life included documenting the heritage of her family. She looked forward to attending the Pratt/Bainbridge picnic each year and visiting with her relatives.

Highlighting Cherry’s summer activities, was going for long, rides in the country and attending the Plymouth County Fair. Not only was she fond of the usual sites, smells and sounds of the fair, but particularly loved the food and entertainment in the Pioneer Village. Cherry is described as a very considerate, caring, and generous woman. The legacy of her life will remain in the memories and hearts of many. While living at the Kingsley Nursing Center, Cherry often verbalized how much she appreciated her visitors and her caregivers. She loved re-acquainting with friends and felt that she related with the folks who now lived among her. She enjoyed sitting outside and looking at the view from a new porch!

Cherry is survived by several cousins and numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceding Cherry in death are her parents, James and Jennie Cliff; her brother, Laurel “Skinny” Cliff; and her sister, Aileen and her husband, Ben Munig.