CLIFFORD STALZER

CLIFFORD MERLE STALZER

Marshalltown

Clifford Merle Stalzer, 78, of Marshalltown, passed away the evening of September 6, 2010 surrounded by his children, Iowa River Hospice, and the dedicated staff of Grandview Heights Nursing Home. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Cliff and his family. Funeral services for Cliff will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 11, 2010 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Jim Miller officiating. Cliff will be laid to rest with full military honors by the V.F.W. at Riverside Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be Friday, September 10, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home.

Cliff was born March 23, 1932 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Carl and Clara (Edel) Stalzer. Cliff spent his childhood in Haverhill, IA, and moved with his family to Marshalltown in 1947 where Cliff attended St. Mary's High School. In June of 1951, Cliff joined the United States Army, and served his country honorably until 1953. After his return to the states, Cliff began his career in the furniture business at McGregor's Furniture. In 1954, while with friends on a Sunday afternoon in downtown Marshalltown, Cliff met his wife, Rosie Perry. They were married on October 8, 1955 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, were divorced in 1973, but remained good friends and coworkers. Cliff worked at the Times Republican for 14 years until he fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened his own furniture store, Stalzer's Furniture. Cliff enjoyed going to work each day and working side-by-side with his sons, Scott and Jason until February of 2008.

Cliff loved a good laugh, a humorous story, and reminiscing with his loyal customers. Cliff also enjoyed going to the car auction, making his daily rounds to check out the progress of any new construction going on throughout Marshall County, and dining with his family on any given Saturday after work at 13th Street Inn. One of Cliff's favorite summer activities was going on an annual houseboat trip on the Mississippi River with his kids and grand-kids. We will always remember Cliff as a kind, friendly man who never knew a stranger and had the endearing quality of always cheering for the underdog.

Cliff is survived by his five children, Sandy, (Tim) Ridout; Shelley (Bob) Backes; Scott Stalzer, all of Marshalltown; John Stalzer of Tama; Jason (Kim) Stalzer of Marshalltown; six grandchildren, Jillissa (Tom) Handorf of Gladbrook; Jerimiah Ridout of Green Mountain; Emily (Charley) Herrin of Fort Worth, Texas; Bethany Backes of Dodge City, Kansas; Anna Grace Backes of Ames; Jamie Bailey of Des Moines; Luke Stalzer of Marshalltown; and great-grandsons, Jorell and Maxxon Handorf. He is also survived by his brother, Clayton (Irma) Stalzer; sister-in-law, Deloris Stalzer; and his longtime friend, Adelia Woizeschke of Windom, Minnesota.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Clara; brothers, Clyde and Carlton (Shirley); sister, Charlene (Floyd) Howard; and his former wife, Rosie Mann in October of 2009.

Memorials may be directed to the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with designations made to either the Alzheimer's Association or the Association of Retarded Citizens.