Clifford R. Van Vleet, 83, of Redfield, died Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will be Monday, February 22, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Reverend Stephen Perry will officiate.

Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2-7:00 p.m. with the family present from 4-6:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials directed to the organization of your choice. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Clifford was born on the farmstead near Cottonwood Lake on December 6, 1926 to Robert G. and Emma L. (Kissner) Van Vleet. He moved to the current farmstead southeast of Redfield at a very young age. He attended country school near the farm. Cliff married Marilyn R. Galvin on September 5, 1953. Cliff enjoyed farming all his life and was active on the farm until his death. In 1979, they moved to their home just south of Redfield.


Cliff served many years on the Redfield Township board, was a member of the NFO, past 4-H leader, founding member of the James Valley Snowmobile Club, Pioneer Community Club, Ringneck Winnies Winnebago club and placed 2nd in the State of South Dakota Outstanding Young Farmer in 1966. He also founded and built the Apache Raceway snowmobile race track located on the farmstead.
Cliff was a hard working man, always improving the farm equipment and inventing various things large and small to make tasks easier. He enjoyed fishing, camping, snowmobiling and playing cards. His favorite times were spent fishing, whether it was ice fishing on local lakes or fishing with the grandkids on Lake Oahe at West Whitlock near Gettysburg.

Cliff is survived by his wife Marilyn; sons: Gary (Linda) of Redfield, Rick (Pat) of Huron, Steve of Yankton, Tim of Sun City CA, Kurt of Redfield, Greg (Darla) of Bismarck ND; grandchildren: Ashlee (Derek) Struble of Ft. Collins CO, Alandra (friend Dustin) of Redfield, Alyssa of Redfield, Scott & Eric of Sioux Falls, Megan of Huron, Kason (friend Amber) of Redfield, Wylie Harr of Redfield, Michael (fiancAC. Kaylee of Fargo) of Bismarck, Emily (friend Paul) of Bismarck; great granddaughter Jazzlynn of Bismarck. He is also survived by his sisters: Laura Johnson of Minneapolis MN and Delores "Dutch" Becker of North Platte NE; brothers: Don of Tacoma WA, Bob (Vera Ann) of Sidney NE, Charlie (Marge) of Rapid City, brother-in-law Jerry Galvin of Redfield, nieces and nephews and a special cat Tiger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Clarence "CJ" Becker and Clinton Johnson, sister-in-law Lois Galvin and a special cat Socks.