Clifford R. Monson

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 thing. In August of 1950, Cliff attended the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference, and there 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 made 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 worship services. After returning home, he was the song & choir leader at the Presbyterian Church in Hospers, Iowa and The First Baptist Church and Hope Evangelical Free Church, both in Storm Lake. He was a member of the Storm Lake Barbershoppers, and participated in community theatre and the community band. Cliff was proud to be a Veteran. After marrying Helen on February 15, 1943, he was drafted to serve in the Army/Airforce during WWII. He was supervisor of the Aircorp Motorpool, maintaining the fleet and driving various visiting dignitaries to their destinations. After returning home from WWII, Cliff worked as an auto mechanic. His love for cars began at the age of 10 when he needed to drive the family car for his mother after the passing of his father. Cliff, along with Helenâ€™s brother, opened Ole & Bergâ€™s Garage in Hospers and he also worked for Verschoors as a mechanic. In 1959, he was recruited to help open the new service center of Fitzpatrick Auto in Storm Lake. Cliff then became the Chief Engineer at the Buena Vista County Hospital in the early 1970â€™s. He remained there until his retirement in 1985. Shortly after retiring he decided to return to the workforce and worked at Bomgaars in Storm Lake assembling all of their merchandise that required assembly. He retired for a second time around the age of 89. In 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 things onto his children and grandchildren. While he will be deeply missed, his family looks forward to seeing him again one day. Those left to cherish his memory are 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; Robert (Kelli) Monson; Reginald Monson; Sarah (Jack) Taylor; John (Trish) Wolf; Paul (Christine) Wolf; Alison (Tyler Simoens) Monson; Tim (Taryn) Monson; Darci Monson; 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, an infant brother, Adolf Monson, Elmer Monson, Oscar Monson, and Sadie Corcoran.

Clifford R. Monson

February 7, 1920 - March 6, 2014