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BORN
1928
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Clifford Mitchell Obituary
Albany
Mar. 30, 1928 - Mar. 30, 2017
A Celebration of Life with Mass will be held at 11a.m. Saturday, April 8 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany for Cliff Mitchell who died peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany after complications from a stroke. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date as Cliff donated his body to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Military honors will be provided by the Albany American Legion.
Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Seven Dolors Gathering Area in Albany. The American Legion, Albany Fire Department, and the Albany Lions club will pray at 7 p.m. Friday evening in the Gathering Area.
Cliff was born March 30, 1928 in Berthold, North Dakota to Guy and Grace (Wherley) Matzdorf. Cliff attended schools in North Dakota before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. On June 30, 1954 he was united in marriage to Eleanor Rohling at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Cliff retired from farm broadcasting with KASM radio in 2008. Cliff and his family ran an auction company for many years. His family proudly continues the auction tradition.
He was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, American Legion Post 482, Albany Lions Club, National Association of Farm Broadcasters, Minnesota Auctioneers Association, and a retired member of the Albany Fire Department. Most of all Cliff enjoyed his family; they were his pride and joy. Cliff was always a gracious host whether it was for family, friends or colleagues.
Survivors include his wife, Eleanor "Ellie" Mitchell of Albany; children, Dean (Sheila) Mitchell of Albany and Karen (Doug) Schleicher of Albany; five grandchildren, Paul (Abbey) and Alex Mitchell, Cody and Callie Schleicher, Abby Mitchell and great grandson Everett Mitchell; sister, Irene Spratt and brother-in-law Harold Stroklund both of Minot, North Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Glenn Mitchell; and sisters, Kathryn Stroklund and Myrtis Pardon; and many other relatives.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations that will be used for a scholarship fund in Cliff's memory to continue Cliff's commitment to agriculture.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Clifford Mitchell
Sponsored by Patton-Schad Funeral Home - Melrose.
Katherine Krienke
April 7, 2017
Our Deepest Sympathy to Cliff's family! My name is Katherine (Kathy) Erber Krienke, my parents are Jane & Arnold Erber. My husband (Roger) and I are dairy farmers in Lester Prairie, MN. We so thoroughly enjoyed listening to Cliff on the radio and really appreciated how Cliff promoted agriculture. I always remember Uncle Guy (my Grandma Gladys Whitson's oldest brother) going to their house for different occasions. Take care!
Brian and Colleen Langeland
April 6, 2017
Miss Ellie and Family,
I will always remember the great times I had as a Farm Broadcaster and getting to know Cliff and Ellie. It was always an honor to be selected to rise early and be on his radio show during the NAFB Convention in KC. I often think of all the laughs and fun we had on his show. Central MN lost an icon in Cliff Mitchell. There will never be another like him. His unique style and downhome sincerity will be missed by many in that area. I cherished knowing him and will always remember him. Your family is in our prayers.
Brian and Colleen Langeland
Owatonna, MN
Jean Herges
April 5, 2017
Dean and Family, I saw your father this summer and my Dad introduced him as "you remember, Cliff, he is a legend in Albany"!. He was as gracious as ever. Remember listening to him for so manyyears on the radio. My hugs and prayers to your family. With warm regards, Jean Herges
Art & Rosie Kerfeld
April 4, 2017
We are sorry to hear of Cliffs passing & want to express our deepest sympathy to Ellie & family. We worked with Cliff through the American Dairy Assn. He did a super job when with our dairy princesses on the radio & at the state fair for the Princess Kay programs . He did a super job of promoting all of Agriculture in our area & wherever he went. Thank you Cliff for all you did for Agriculture. We miss you already.
Margaret and Earl Kinnear
April 4, 2017
Cliff's voice was the 1st voice I heard on KASM when we moved to Albany in September 1993. Earl was a guest on Aunt Sara's Party Line numerous times from 1993 to 2007. Cliff was always gracious, and full of that "Cliffy Humor" we both grew to love so much about him! After he retired, he would stop by our house from time to time for a quick visit. It was always a pleasure to see him! We will miss our friend Cliff SO MUCH!! I can just hear the radio in heaven signing on every morning at 6am, waking up the Saints and Angels with the sound of cows mooing and Cliff's booming voice saying "Good Morning, it's time to get up!"
Gary and Judy Meyer
April 3, 2017
We had 52 foreign exchange students. All of the students spoke on party line with Cliff. Some of the students were afraid to talk , because they thought their English was not good enough. When Cliff would ask them questions, he would watch their eyes to see if they understood. He would quickly change the question to not leave them uncomfortable if he could see they didn't understand what he was asking. They always came home happy.
Jim Sand
April 3, 2017
Well I guess the "Unbearables" will be back together again.
We will remember Cliff's booming voice, wit, humor and straight talk.
His love for his family, rural community & listening audience was evident over the years we knew him.
We will cherish the memories and be thinking of you as your family and friends gather to celebrate a life well lived.
Our condolences to Ellie and all the family.
Rest in Peace Cliff and God speed.
Jim & Jean Sand
Nancy Fuchs
April 3, 2017
We lost a gem of a man. I knew Cliff from when I was a kid. Attended high school with his children. Saw him in action as an auctioneer and had the pleasure of working with him at KASM. He was so committed to all he did. Wish there were more like him. God bless Cliff and his family.
Ray Tuholsky
April 3, 2017
Cliff will be missed. I loved you auctions and your jokes, and your radio programs. You were one of the best
Ruby Wade
April 2, 2017
I used to live SW of Avon. I always listened to him on the radio & had been to two auctions. I still have the piano bench I bought at one of them. After I moved to St Cloud I still heard him on the radio. I certainly remember Karen. I had worked at the senior high school. My sympathy to all of the family. Yes Nancy Beutz, he certainly is an icon to the community & surrounding areas. Ruby Fossen-Wade
Nancy Beutz
April 2, 2017
My brother moved on from milking cows in 1980. He turned the radio off for the last time and Cliff was on the air. He went back into the barn 25 years later, plugged the same radio in and there was Cliff. Just a couple weeks ago I told him he was a huge icon here in Albany and beyond.
Lolly Denn
April 2, 2017
Long time ago, Bob and I spent much time with Mitch, and I loved the auctions.
He was a great human being and will be an even greater saint in Heaven
Mick DeGross
April 2, 2017
I worked at KASM back in the late 80's and it was just part time on the weekends. I got a chance to meet Cliff a few times and he was always gracious and helpful. In my mind, he was KASM! RIP Clifford.
Diane Haskamp
April 1, 2017
RIP Cliff...... I had the honor of working with Cliff! He was my co-worker but more importantly my friend! He taught so many about good radio! My sincere condolences to Miss Ellie , Dean and his family and Karen and her family! Hugs to all of you! Cliff will be missed!
Ike Van Briesen
April 1, 2017
I work a few antique auctions with Cliff and Les Oberman and learned more each time . He used his salesmanship and humor better than anyone else in the auction business . RIP Cliff
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