Clifford Winther

Clifford J. Winther, 89, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Monday, September 8, 2008, at Colonial Manor in Anita.

Clifford Julius Winther was born September 5, 1919, near Ebenezer Lutheran Church, west of Audubon, Iowa, the son of Jens Julius and Marie Johanna (Jensen) Winther. He was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church and attended Lone Willow School in Audubon County, Iowa.

On December 18, 1949, he married Viola Hansen in Anita, Iowa. The couple farmed several years east of the Highland Church near Anita and later near Fontanelle, Iowa. They finally settled in Anita where they raised their family. The love they shared throughout their marriage was an inspiration to their family.

Clifford was a long time member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita.He was a truck driver most of his life, and hauled livestock for various trucking companies.

One of Clifford's favorite pastimes in his earlier years was gardening. He took great pleasure and pride in growing fresh produce for his family. He enjoyed horses and watching western shows, mainly Bonanza and Gunsmoke. His memory was faultless, particularly when he would share old time stories of threshing and working in the fields. Clifford had a sweet tooth, whether it was his candy dish always within arm's reach or sour cream raisin pie, which he had just savored on his 89th birthday. Little children always put a smile on his face, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They will miss walking into grandpa's house, seeing him sitting in his chair with a big smile and a, "Hello, how are you".
One of his greatest joys was to be surrounded by family, friends, and the home health nurses and aides, who Clifford referred to as "his girls". Clifford will truly be missed by family and friends.

Clifford is survived by his daughter, Marcia Larsen and her husband, Dick of Afton, Iowa, Juliana Krauth and her husband, David of Massena, Iowa, Cindy Gries and her husband, Delmar of Elk Horn, Iowa, Sherri Denney and her husband, Cecil of Anita, Iowa, and Sondra Griffith and her husband, Vance of Atlantic, Iowa; his sons, David Winther of Anita, Iowa, and Dan Winther and his wife, Dana of Anita, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; nephews and nieces; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Viola, in 2005; his parents, Jens and Marie Winther; his brothers, Lawrence and Raymond Winther; and his sisters, Harriet Schroeter, Gudran Dahl and Edith Selders.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 13, 2008, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita. Following the burial the family invites you to join them for a luncheon at the Anita Community Center.

Visitation will be from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2008, with the family present, 6:00 to 8:00, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita.

Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.