Clifton Delile Charlson
Clifton Delile Charlson, 81, Algona, passed away at the Good Samaritan Center surrounded by his family, Friday, June 9, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 17, at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, with Pastor Bill Peters officiating. Visitation with his family will be Friday, June 16, from 4-6 p.m., at Mittelstadt Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will take place in the Winnebago Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Lake Mills, with military honors conducted by the Otto Chose Post #235.
Clifton Delile Charlson was born Sept. 28, 1935 in Whittemore. He grew up in the small town of Joice, on an 80-acre farm. He found the farm life was not for him, so he entered the Navy in 1956, receiving the Good Conduct medal in March of 1939, and served four years active duty with two years in the reserves.
He was very proud of being a veteran, was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and proudly flew the American flag his entire life.
Clifton pursued construction through the Midwest and Rocky Mountains after his Naval commitment. He settled in West Covina, Calif. in 1969 and went to work in the mining industry. He retired from United Rock Products, a Southern California mining operation, after 23 years of service operating a bull dozer.
In addition to his mining career, Clifton was an accomplished poker player that could find a game wherever he was. He loved riding his motorcycle so much, that when a nephew, Daryl Charlson, moved out to California, he bought another bike so they could ride together. After retirement, he moved to Golden Valley, Ariz., for the beautiful mountains and four-wheel drive expeditions.
Clifton was never married or had children, however he held a special place in his heart for Roberta (Engstrom) Durand, niece. She wrote him letters faithfully over all the years. He loved her like she was his daughter. Clifton loved his family and friends. If anyone ever needed a helping hand he was always there for them.
Clifton is survived by his sisters: Louise M. (Charlson) Engstrom, Darlene L. (Charlson) Heerdt, Genora A. (Charlson) Thomas, Marilyn J. (Charlson) Nonnweiler, and Delores J. (Charlson) Werly. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Gladys Charlson; brothers: Martin O. Charlson, Willard B. Charlson, Virgil L. Charlson, and Robert D. Charlson; two sisters-in-law: Shirley Charlson and Esther Charlson; and a brother-in-law, Robert Engstrom.
