Arlene J. Clifton

Arlene J. Clifton, age 81, of Potosi, passed away on Thursday, August 16, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, IA. She was born on January 23, 1931, in Waterloo Township, the daughter of Arlie and Sylvia (Knoke) Nickel. Arlene attended Elmdale Country School and Lancaster High School. On February 5, 1949, Arlene was united in marriage to Carson Clifton at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA, where they renewed their vows on their fiftieth anniversary. After their marriage, the couple farmed thirteen years in South Lancaster Township and then moved to the home her father built and farmed in Waterloo Township. Arlene enjoyed helping on the farm and would often drive tractor. Arlene helped with the catering at the Lancaster Country Club; she was a cook at the Grant County Jail for eight years, provided homecare at Homeward Bound for three years and enjoyed babysitting for the neighbor children. Arlene also enjoyed cooking, crafts, painting, spending time in her flower garden, canning, birds and all wildlife. Her greatest joy was her family and her grandchildren. Arlene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school and served as a Deacon and an Elder.

Survivors include her loving husband of sixty-three years, Carson Clifton; their children: Darwin (Beth) Clifton, Potosi; Diane (Dennis) Wieland, Peosta, IA; Dixie Lea Clifton, Hazel Green; David (Rochelle) Clifton, Potosi; Dawn (Al) Mergen, Bloomington; eleven grandchildren; nineteen and one on the way great-grandchildren; her brother and sisters: LaVern (Mary Alice) Nickel, Potosi; Phyllis (Robert) Eck, Lancaster; Donna (Phil) Nickson, Yakima, WA; her sister-in-law, Helen (Gene) McDonough, Lancaster; her beloved dog, Lucy; other relatives and many friends.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents and a step-granddaughter, Sheri.

Funeral services were held on Monday, August 20, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster with Pastor Mark Hoehne officiating. Burial was in Hurricane Cemetery, South Lancaster Township. Family and friends called on Sunday, August 19, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster and on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, an Arlene J. Clifton Memorial Fund has been established.