Clifton Theodore Clemens

Clifton Clemens of Sisters died Friday, January 18. He was 101.

He was born March 6, 1906, in Doone, Iowa, the oldest son of Benjamin and Katherine Clemens. He married Dorothy Bosshard in Salem in 1931. Clifton attended the Oregon School of Agriculture (now OSU) where he graduated in 1938 with a degree in Industrial Arts. He and Dorothy moved their family to Wasco, California, where he taught at Wasco Union High School for several years, eventually getting into the construction and development business.

He and Dorothy moved to Sisters in 1973 and settled on land around the Sisters Airport. His hobby became managing and improving the Sisters Eagle Air Airport.

Clifton was a charter member of the Sisters Kiwanis Club and also served as its first President. He served 16 years on the Sisters School Board. He once said: "You never know what time will do, but if you live honestly, you don't have to worry, and that's what I tried to do. I've had a very interesting life, trying to do what I thought was good for the community."

Clifton is survived by his sons, Doug (Linda) of Ketchum, Idaho, and David (Laurine) of Sisters, and grandchildren, Brent Freeland (Kelly) of Sisters, Barbara McNutt Daniels, Karen McNutt Zitsel and Bruce McNutt (Jennifer), all of New Jersey, and Jennifer Clemens of Long Beach California, and David (Misty) Clemens of Salt Lake City, Utah. Cliff is survived by nine great-grandchildren.

Clifton was preceded in death by Dorothy, his wife of 70 years, his daughter, Marilynne McNutt Krause, his brother Arthur Clemens, his sister Ellen Rostvold and granddaughter Shannon Freeland.

A memorial service will be held in Sisters this spring at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established by the Sisters Kiwanis, at PO Box 1296, Sisters, Oregon, to make improvements to Cliff Clemens Park in Sisters.

Cliff's family and friends want to thank the caring staff at Bend Villa Retirement, visiting angels Launa and Mary, the assisting staff from Central Oregon Health and Hospice and all the wonderful friends who have stopped by to visit, sing or listen to Cliff during his stay in Sisters and at Bend Villa.

Information provided by the Clemens family.