Clifford Walter Yaeger

Clifford Walter Yaeger, age 72, of Good Thunder, died peacefully on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at home surrounded by his family.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Rapidan, with Vicar Robert Lund officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Rapidan. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Mankato Mortuary, and continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to ISJ Hospice, Caringbridge.org, St. John's Lutheran Church, or to the donor's choice.

Clifford was born on June 17, 1936 in Mankato. He was the son of Walter and Anna (Olson) Yaeger. Cliff was a 1954 graduate of Rapidan High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Colleen Beadell on April 27, 1958. Cliff served as a Communication Specialist with the rank of Sergeant in the MN National Guard. His career was his farm, "Hog Wild Acres". Cliff farmed his entire life and also drove school bus for over 53 years in the Rapidan area. He was honored in 2007 by the MN School Bus Operators Association with a Transportation Specialist award while driving for the Lake Crystal School Bus Service. Cliff loved his job and all of the children.

Cliff was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He served as President of the congregation, elder, trustee, and sang in the church choir. Cliff was Lutheran Layman League Representative for St. John's for many years. His favorite things included Country Western and Bluegrass music, old-time dancing, NASCAR, the Twins and Vikings. Cliff made all his toys as a child out of anything he could find, leading to a lifetime of inventing and repairing machinery. He and Colleen took many trips to Branson, MO and he never missed Farm Fest. Cliff will be remembered for his magnificent smile, beautiful blue eyes, his wonderful sense of humor, and above all his unfailing faith in God. His memory will be cherished by his many adopted sons and all of us.

Cliff is survived by his wife of 51 years, Colleen; daughters, Cindy (Dave) Slater of Good Thunder and Carrie (Rick) Rodman of Minneapolis; three grandchildren, Christopher Junker and girlfriend, Robin Fairchild, and Katie Lynn and Sammy Jo Slater; one sister, Betty (Ronald) Scheider; two nieces, Julie (Dan) Madigan and Jill (Michael) Kelby; one aunt, Ruth Yaeger; brothers-in-law, Donald (Lynn) Beadell, Quentin (Carolyn) Beadell, Harry (Deb) Beadell Jr., and Gene (Sue) Beadell; one sister-in-law, Beverly (Delbert) Wilson; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.