Cliff O. Schroeder, age 78, of Watertown, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Cliff was born June 28, 1930, in New Germany, the son of Otto and Martha (Ohm) Schroeder.
He served in the Marines during the Korean War.
Cliff was united in marriage to Phyllis K. Gorka Oct. 17, 1953, in Minneapolis.
A warm and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Cliff will be remembered by his family as a kind and positive man. He had such a crazy sense of humor, and loved to have fun.
Cliff served on the Watertown Fire Department for 29 years, serving as the department’s chief for many years. He was also a member of the American Legion and VFW in Watertown.
He was an avid golfer, and a member of Island View Country Club for many years. He enjoyed a weekly bowling league, and participated in the state bowling tournament for 51 consecutive years.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Martha Schroeder.
He is loved and missed by his wife, Phyllis; children and spouses, Sheryl and Peter Beckius of Jordan, Kay Yantes of Minnetonka, and Ned and Wendy Schroeder of Watertown; grandchildren Nicole Beckius, Jaclyn Kellen (Beckius), 2nd Lt. Mark Beckius USAF, Brandon Yantes Kara Yantes, Ryan Schroeder, and Kyle Schroeder; and great-grandson Brayden Kellen.
Cliff is further survived by sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Lowell Tesch of Winsted; nieces; nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
The funeral service was Saturday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Watertown with visitation for two hours preceding the service at the church. The Revs. Paul Krentz and Don Urbach officiated, and interment was at Watertown Public Cemetery.
Cliff’s grandchildren, Nicole Beckius, Jaclyn Kellen (Beckius), Brandon Yantes, Kara Yantes, 2nd Lt. Mark Beckius, Ryan Schroeder, and Kyle Schroeder, were his casket bearers.
Arrangements were with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; online condolences available at www.johnsonfh.com.
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