Clifford Carney

Cliff Carney passed away on October 6, 2018, while go-cart racing and doing what he loved most—hanging with lifelong friends, going fast, and having fun.

Clifford All Carney, Jr. was born on May 1, 1947 in Minneapolis, MN to Clifford, Sr. and Agnes Carney. He had a fun adventurous childhood living both in the Cities and out in the country on a hobby farm. He graduated from Richfield High School in 1965. Not long after high school, he married Eileen Glenna, and they began to carve out a life together in their first house in Richfield.

While there, they welcomed two beautiful children in to the family, Craig born in 1970, and Amber in 1973. Cliff took over a company from Eileen’s father in 1972, which he appropriately named Carney Sales. With his company, he was a successful manufacturer’s rep for several large manufacturers, selling and servicing large shop equipment to an expansive territory in the upper Midwest. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, make ends meet, and live the life he wanted to live.

Later in life, he met Debi Nelson and they married in 2000. In 2016, Cliff dissolved his company and they both retired. They sold their house in Lakeville and moved north to Nisswa. Together, they loved to ride Harley’s, spend time with friends, laugh, and spend their winters in Mexico. Cliff worked hard, loved intensely, and left this world the way he wished. Cliff will be missed dearly.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Debi: his two children, Craig (Rebecca) Carney of Beaverton, OR and Amber (Eric) Berg of Cloquet, MN; three grandchildren, Qiana Carney, Hunter and Aspen Berg; his siblings, Joe (June) Carney of Richfield, MN; Elaine (Fred) Hollasch of Amery, WI; Darlene Yackel of Sahuarita, AZ; Peggy (David) Van Dam of Eden Prairie, MN; Dale (Karen) Carney of Savage, MN; Mike (Jill) Carney of Durango, CO; his sisters-in-law, Adrienne (Tom) Carney of Prior Lake, MN; and Cindy (Pat) Carney of Overland Park, KS; and his first wife Eileen (Jim) Walters of Minnetonka, MN; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Cliff Sr. and Agnes Carney; brothers, Tom Carney and Pat Carney.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Cliff’s honor on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Richfield VFW, 6715 Lake Shore Dr. S., Richfield, MN, from 12:30 to 4:30.