Raak, Clifford J. 1928-2011

RAAK, VANDERPLOEG, KOOI

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/14/2012 at 06:58:21

CLIFFORD J . RAAK
Clifford J. Raak, age 83, of Luverne, died Thursday, October 13, 2011 at his home in Luverne.
Funeral services were held at the American Reformed Church in Luverne with burial at
Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Clifford James Raak was born on August 28, 1928 to Dick and Minnie (Vander Ploeg) Raak in
Sioux Center, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school through the
eighth grade at which time he returned to help on the farm. He met Grada Kooi and the couple
was united in marriage on August 9, 1950 at Lebanon Christian Reformed Church in Lebanon,
Iowa. After their marriage, he worked as a carpenter for six months until they moved to the
family farm near Sioux Center, Iowa in 1951. Cliff farmed until 1961, when the family moved to
Sanborn, Iowa and were owners of the Raak Furniture Store. While in Sanborn, he also worked
as a carpenter and then at the Sanborn Creamery until he had a severe back injury. After back
surgery, he worked on and received a GED of which he was very proud. He moved to Minnesota
in 1971 and began work as a meat inspector. He worked in Luverne until his retirement in
1997 after 23 years with the USDA.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Grada; six children, Gerald of Loveland, Colorado,
Arthur (andPatti) of St. Charles, MN, Charlene (and Tom) Maertens of Spencer, IA, Clifford
(and Kathy) of Colorado Springs, CO, Kathleen (and Kent) Schollmeier of Stillwater, M N ,
and Mark of Forest Lake, MN; 16 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; five siblings, Muriel
(Rev. Robert) Griffin of Holyoke, MA, Ken (and Arthea) Raak of Worthington, MN, Rev. Truman (and Marcy) Raak of Lakeview, MI, Irwin (and Trudy) Raak of Jasper, MN, and Vernon (and Lois) Raak of Sioux Center, IA; a sister-in-law, Eunice (and Ed) Scholten of Sioux Center; and other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Wayne; parents; and a brother, Dennis.
Source: Doon Press of October 20, 2011