Clifford James Dekker

Clifford James Dekker, age 90, Elrod, near Clark, died early Thursday morning, November 2, 2017 in the Watertown Care and Rehabilitation Center at Watertown.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 4-6 pm at the Furness Funeral Home of Clark and one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Funeral services will be Monday, November 6, 2017 at 11:00 am at the United Methodist Church of Clark with Pastor Mark Tracy officiating. Dorothy Fuller will be the organist. Burial with military honors will be at the Lorinda Cemetery of rural Henry. Those that should consider themselves as honorary casketbearers are Elrod Monday Night Group, Clark Rural Water, Watertown Care and Rehabilitation Center, Prairie Lakes Hospice and the two great grandchildren, Madelynn and Hudson. The active casketbearers will be his grandchildren, Tracy, Lindsey, James, Ryan, Jayson, Jacob, Jamie, and Gavin.

He was born Clifford James Dekker on October 11, 1927 in Day Township, east of Clark, the son of Henry "Hank" and Edith (Stevens) Dekker. The family lived in Day Township where he rode horse to the Day School. When Clifford was 13, the family moved to Elrod where he attended school until his sophomore year when he came to Clark, graduating in 1946.

Clifford farmed on the family farm until his entry into the United States Army in 1951, serving his country during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953. Prior to leaving for the Army, he was united in marriage to Ramona D. "Boots" Doeden in Aberdeen on January 2, 1951 . When he returned from the Army, the couple lived and farmed in Elrod Township their entire married life, living in the current home since 1965. Boots died on March 11, 2012 after over 61 years of marriage.

While living on the farm, Cliff also drove school bus for the Clark School District for over 30 years. He served on the board of directors of Clark Rural Water for 40 years. In his free time, he enjoyed going to auction sales, fishing, and gardening and second to none, was having coffee – anytime! Cliff enjoyed the Monday night Elrod Group. In early years, he and his wife attended many get-togethers at the Day Betterment Club.

Loved ones left behind include DuWayne Dekker and Pam Dekker of Clark, Gary and Jackie Dekker of Chaska, MN, Gale Dekker and Jeff Schloegel of Roseville, MN and Cindy and Kevin Zomer of Corsica, SD. Grandchildren include Tracy, Lindsey (Randy) Morehouse, James, Ryan, Jayson, Jacob, Jamie and Gavin and Great-grandchildren, Madelynn & Hudson. His sister Erlene (Everett) Hanson of Clark and sister in law Beverly LaBore of Sioux Falls, SD.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife of 61 years Ramona (Boots), a sister Dorothy in infancy, a son Ronnie, grandsons Grant and Christopher and a brother in law Dennis LaBore.

Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com