Newfolden – Clifford Steinhauer, 98, of Newfolden, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 25, 2024, with his loving family by his side.
Clifford William Steinhauer, the son of William and Ida (Lunke) Steinhauer, was born on December 15, 1925, at his parents’ home in Excel township. He was baptized and confirmed in the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt. Clifford grew up in Excel Township and graduated from Crookston Agricultural College.
In 1952, Clifford joined the Air Force, working at a training command base where he repaired fuel tanks and airplanes. He also learned how to sew and fix sewing machines. Clifford was the best at packing parachutes and drag chutes. He said, “you don’t want just anyone packing your chute.” Clifford enjoyed dancing many times a week and also taught line dancing. Clifford bought a plane and flew home several times. He attended the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus.
On June 23, 1956, Clifford was united in marriage to Marjorie Landin. They bought a farm near Holt, where they raised two sons. Clifford and Marjorie were married for 60 years.
Clifford taught Sunday School at Nazareth Lutheran and was on the church council. He spent sixteen years on Holt Township board, Minnesota Prairie Chicken society board, and Agassiz Audubon Board, which operates Wetland Pine and Prairie Sanctuary near Warren. He went on many bird counts and educated school children on the environment with nature walks and bird searches. He was a member of the American Legion for 58 years and Eagles Club for 77 years.
Clifford enjoyed raising flowers and vegetable gardens, hunting, raising grouse, dancing, playing cards, and farming. He raised game birds (pheasant, sharp-tail grouse, prairie chickens, ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, ptarmigan, lesser prairie chickens) for 45 years. He also enjoyed beekeeping for many years. Clifford received many awards for his work with the environment; one for the many trees he planted.
Clifford is survived by his sons, Neil (Cindy) of Swift, and Owen (Kim) of rural Thief River Falls; ten grandchildren: Chris, Heather Steinhauer, Michael (Sarah), Rebecca (John) Anderson, Melissa (Chris) Lane, Adam, Charles (Manda), Jonathan (Paige), Joseph, and Kristine (Beau) Thompson; 20 great-grandchildren: Nicky, Noah, Zachary, Levi, Alexis, Kira, Tristan, Jade, Damien, Annabella, Anstasia, Brandon, Isadora, Emerald, Quinton, Zebedee, Remington, Archie, Winry, and Kayden; sister-in-law, Sandra Steinhauer; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; parents; son, Joe; and granddaughter, Elisabeth; brother, Donald; and sister, Evelyn.
The service to celebrate Cliff’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at New Hope Lutheran Church in Newfolden, with Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating.
Visitation one hour before the service.
Burial will be at Holt Cemetery.
Veterans Honors by American Legion Post 117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 and Air Force Honor Guard.
Pallbearers: Joseph, Michael, Adam, Charlie, Chris, and Jonathan Steinhauer.
A00003B2023MR08