Clifford C. Arntz

Clifford C. Arntz, 93, of Grand Forks, died peacefully at home on January 18, 2015. Cliff was born on November 5, 1921 to Edward and Ethel (Murray) Arntz in Burnstad, ND and grew up in Benton Harbor, MI. He married Eleanora Kempert on February 12, 1943, in Las Cruces, NM, while in service to the U.S. Army. After serving his country in New Guinea during WWII, he and Eleanora farmed near Wales, ND, and raised 5 girls until 1954, when they moved to Grand Forks where their son was born. He was employed as the "Ol' lonely Maytag repairman", first in Grand Forks and then for the former Maury's TV & Appliance in East Grand Forks until his retirement in 1983. Over the years he was a member of the Elks, V.F.W., The American Legion, and the Eagles. Cliff was an awesome dad and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, teaching them how to play, work and love. He and Eleanora loved to travel and go camping, which they thoroughly enjoyed into their late 80s. He also enjoyed fishing and snowmobiling. He sang in the choir at St. Mark's Lutheran Church until they became members of United Lutheran Church in the late 60s. He was great with his hands, could fix just about anything and loved to work with wood. Cliff's children and grandchildren are the proud owners of many of his handiworks. He loved to play whist and pinochle and, in his later years, having lunch every week with "the guys". Cliff is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Eleanora, children: Gloria (Gail) Larson, Garrison, ND; Peggy Christian, Descanso, CA; Diana (Richard) Parton, Thompson, ND; Carol (Fred) Voosen, Vancouver, WA; Joan (Paul) Erickson, Grand Forks, ND; and Barry (Cheryl) Arntz, Thompson, ND; grandchildren, Eric, Stephanie and Andrea Hillman, Casey Christian, Chad and Daniel Parton, Laura Scott, Debbee Keller, Nathan and Bret Erickson, Mandy Enget, Buck and Seth Arntz; 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and Donald, sister Margaret McDonald, son-in-law, Dennis Hathaway, granddaughter Kelly Arntz, and grandsons, James Parton and Dax Christian. Visitation will be from 1-2 pm with a memorial service at 2 pm on Friday, Jan. 23 at United Lutheran Church, 324 Chestnut St., Grand Forks, ND. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park South Cemetery, following the service. Memorials may be donated to the Salvation Army.