Clifford W. Emmert

Clifford Wayne Emmert was born on March 22, 1932, to Clifford C. and Nota (Shanholtzer) Emmert at home in Grant County, South Dakota. He was the oldest of six children and spoke often of farm chores and helping his mother in the house with his siblings. The family moved from South Dakota to Aitkin County to farm, moving again to Hancock, Minnesota, graduating from Hancock High School in June 1950. He worked with a local farmer until being drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1953 serving during the Korean Conflict at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was trained as an Artillery Survey Specialist beginning a career in surveying. Cliff married Alice Maydole on August 7, 1953, in El Paso, Texas and served in the military until his honorable discharge in 1955. They and a child moved to Breckenridge, Minnesota to help his father-in-law farm until being employed by Wilkin County Soil and Water Conservation District in November 1955. In 1957, the family moved to Alexandria where he started his career with Douglas County Soil and Water District. His love of farming and nature led to encouraging local farmers in tree planting windbreaks, early crop no-till procedures and using his surveying skills as a county ditch inspector working for Rundquist Ditch Surveyors until retiring in 2020.

Cliff was a proud lifetime member of the Viking Sportsman group and promoted carp barriers as a way to keep the rough fish from local lakes. Cliff and Alice were longtime members of the United Methodist Church where he was active on building committees. In their retirement years, they enjoyed traveling with their camper and wintering in Florida for nine years.

Alice passed away in 2020 and Cliff remained in his home with help until November 2022 when he joined the Nelson Gables living community, making new friends and enjoying two o’clock coffee, bingo, and move night.

Cliff passed away on April 14, 2023, attaining the age of 91 years after a fulfilling life of fishing and hunting; leaving behind a legacy of stories of playing cribbage and enjoying family and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alice; three brothers; daughter-in-law, Kim; and grandson, Jeffrey.

Cliff leaves behind his five children, Gaye (Keith) of Garfield, Cliff (Jeanne) of Katy, Texas, Clinton of Champlin, Curtis of Alexandria, and Craig (Kelly) of Thornton, Colorado; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren with four future additions; siblings, Nellie Anderson of Alberta, Minnesota and Larry (Shirley) Emmert of Blaine.

Interment at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.

Informal celebration of life for Cliff Emmert will be held Aug 5 from 1-4pm at the Lake Brophy County Park at Brophy Park Rd NW in Alexandria. Signs will be posted.

Blessed be the memories. Thanks, Dad for always being there – we love you.