Clifford Stephenson

Clifford Wayne Stephenson, 82, 15 Timberlane Drive, Clear Lake, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.

Clifford, son of William and Lora (Ridout) Stephenson was born July 15, 1930 in Winterset, Iowa. He graduated from Winterset High School in 1948 and continued his education at Drake University in Des Moines majoring in music. Cliff enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1955. Cliff was united in marriage to Norma Jean Myhr, and to this union three children were born, 

Joanne, Karen, and William. The family lived in the Sacramento, Calif. area for many years where Cliff worked for Aerojet General, then for the Federal Bureau of Land Management as a field engineer before retiring in 1983. Following retirement, Cliff opened his own hobby shop in Barstow, Calif., moving to Clear Lake in 1992 where he continued the business until 1993.

Cliff’s first love was music and theater. Throughout his life, the world was graced with his magnificent basso-cantante and his skills as an entertainer. He was a man of many interests, including model railroads, being a natural handyman and do-it-yourselfer.  He was a member of the Galilean Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, professional music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Gaslight Theater in Folsom, Calif., a docent at Sacramento Railroad Museum, and helped to found Hospice of Mojave Valley in Barstow, Calif.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Norma Jean, Clear Lake; children, Joanne Self, Mohave Valley, Ariz., Karen (Bruce) Sanford, Raymond, Maine, and William (Ryna) Stephenson, Sacramento, Calif.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Della) Stephenson, Cherokee, Iowa; sister, Sherry (Gary) Breckenridge, Lamont, Wash.; several nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Derwin (Eleanor) Myhr, Anacortes, Wash.; brother-in-law, C.F. (Lucille) Myhr, Ocala, Fla.; and sister-in-law, Lila Myhr, Sun City, Ariz.

He was predeceased by his parents; three sisters-in-law, Patricia, Elizabeth and Margaret Myhr; brother-in-law, E.B. Myhr; and son-in-law, Derwin Self. 

Per Cliff’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be left in Cliff’s name to Galilean Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, or Hospice of North Iowa.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.