Clifford Grover

Loved and cherished, Clifford Allen Grover, 91, of Lakeshore, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 in Sun City, Arizona with family members at his bedside.

Born in Junction City, Wisconsin on March 16th, 1918, Cliff was a Veteran of World War II serving as a B17 bomber pilot, The Flying Fortress, with missions over Europe and North Africa. He moved his family from Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1955 where he worked for Lever Brothers Company until retiring in 1980. Active in church, his greatest love was singing in the choir at Triune God Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota and at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.

Having built their retirement home on Gull Lake north of Brainerd, Minnesota, he loved sharing time and activities with his family. He enjoyed fishing when the fish were biting, and a beer or two in the boat when they weren't. Though he didn't consider his golf game very competitive, he could usually ‘out putt' at least one of his sons, even in his later years. He was an avid reader until he developed macular degeneration. That didn't deter him from his quest for enjoyment or knowledge because he substituted audio books instead.

Preceded in death by his parents, Rodney and Louise, and his brother Kenneth, Cliff is survived by his loving wife, Arlie, recently celebrating their unbelievable 67th Wedding Anniversary, sister Vivian Moss (Vern), and children: Allen (Linda), James (Frankie), Sharon Andrews (Roy) and Vicki Benson (Buzz). Grandchildren: Kim, Shelley, Tami, Kari, Ross, Bryce, Nicole, Drew, Katelyn, Kelly, and 13 great-grandchildren. While he will dearly be missed, he will never be forgotten, having lovingly influenced our lives and will live on in the hearts of us all.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Pequot Lakes, Minnesota on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Burial service with military honors will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Friday, January 15th.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church "Vertical Lift Fund" (30609 State Highway 371, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472).