Clifford Halse

Clifford Halse, age 91, Watertown, died in the Jenkins Living Center at Watertown on Tuesday evening, April 4, 2017.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 111 14th Ave NE, at Watertown with the Pastor Hank Roso. Organist will be Eloise Falk and soloist will be Darrel Crocker. Visitation will be Friday, April 7, 2017 at the church from 4-7 p.m. Burial will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery at Watertown following the service. Following services, everyone is invited back to the Church for a dinner.

Clifford Halse was born in Luther Hospital in Watertown, SD April 18, 1925 to Clinton and Grace (Schulz) Halse. He attended grade school at Cutting #59 where he also later taught for 2 years in 1947-1948. He graduated from Florence High School in 1943. It was during confirmation classes under the leadership of Pastor Albert Holm that he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He attended three months winter short courses at Lutheran Bible Institute, Minneapolis, MN 1949-1951.

On June 14, 1953 he married Violet Field at Lake Preston, SD. Two children were born to this union, Linda Beck and Darlene Darnell. He served on the Dexter Township Board, Cutting School District. He was a member of the Golden Age Club, Watertown and First Baptist Church, Watertown and served in various church offices.

He had a farm auction and retired from farming at the age of 79 in 2004. Along with his 61 years of farming, he worked a part time job as field man for the FSA or Codington County Agriculture for over 41 years measuring fields and checking grain bins.

Later winters were spent in Mesa, AZ in a trailer park where he played slow pitch softball, horseshoe and pool. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins and still has a foul ball that he caught at a game in 1985. In 2008, they moved to Watertown, SD.

He is survived by his wife Violet, two daughters, Linda (Doug) Beck of Brooklyn Park, MN and Darlene Darnell of Yakima, WA, seven grandchildren, Nicole (Kelly) Koeb, Katie (Eric) Beck, Kristin (Joe) Peyer, Kristi (Jason) Wahlman, Ange (Matt) Baker, Samuel (Amanda) Resen, and Elana Darnell, thirteen great grandchildren and many friends.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents.