Charles S. Tifft

Charles S. Tifft, 87, of Greene, Iowa, formerly of Clear Lake, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit.  Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at the Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. 4th 

St., Clear Lake, with Rev. Kirk Wilkie officiating.   Inurnment will take place at the Park Cemetery in Nora Springs, Iowa, at a later date.  Memorials may be directed to the Charles Tifft memorial fund in care of the family.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

  Charles was born Dec. 2, 1926 in Clear Lake, the son of Hannah (Thompson) and Charles S. Tifft Sr.  He attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1944.  He loved growing up in Clear Lake.  In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge in 1953.   

Charles married Imogene “Ileen” Burns on April 9, 1950 in Rockford, Iowa.  

He worked at Armours Meat Packing Plant, formerly Deckers, for 33 years before his retirement at age 58.  Charles loved traveling – making many trips to Europe, Alaska, and throughout the United States – he especially enjoyed the annual Alaska Army Reunion.  Charles was able to visit all but four states.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, listening to Big Band music, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Charles was a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge. 

  Charles is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ileen Tifft, of Greene; five children, Bill Tifft, and wife, Mary, of Omaha, Neb., Linda McCoole, and husband, David, of Jacksonville, N.C., Donna Ponto, and husband, Mark, of Greene, Dennis Tifft, and partner, Steve, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Larry Tifft, and partner, John, of Minneapolis; seven grandchildren, Michael, Renee, Zeke, Shelley, Mandy, Shiloh, and Shanna; five great-grandchildren, Cooper, Megan, Chloe, Emma and Clara.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Dean Tifft; and a sister in infancy.