Obit: Telford, Donald Clifford #2 (1929 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Telford, Soderberg, Warner, Moen, Tar, Schroeder, Larson, Wittek, Simpson, Koch

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 8/242016

Telford, Donald Clifford (16 July 1929 - 18 July 2016) With Flag

Donald Clifford Telford, of Eau Claire, WI, died peacefully at his home on Monday, July 18, 2016. He was preceded in death, six months to the day, by his beloved wife of 59 years, Norma (Warner) Telford.

Duce (as he was known to his family and friends) was born on July 16, 1929, in Thorp, Clark County, Wisconsin, to Vilas and Florence (Soderberg) Telford. As a boy, he spent the summer months on his grandparents’ farm. At Thorp High School, he excelled in sports. Following his graduation in 1947, Duce played a season on the UW-Eau Claire football team before returning to Thorp to work with his father in the house-moving business and, during logging season, in the lumber camps of the north woods.

Duce proudly served his country in the Korean War, first as a private and then as a corporal in Company C of the 193rd Heavy Tank Battalion. In September of 2013, he traveled with fellow veterans on a Freedom Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to visit the nation’s war memorials. For Duce, the highlight of the trip was the time he spent at the Korean War Memorial.

In 1956, Duce wed Norma and they moved to Eau Claire. Shortly thereafter, they became members of Grace Lutheran Church and began a family. Duce worked for many years in the dairy industry (Dolly Madison/Marigold Foods and Kemps), retiring from his position as a supervisor in 1994.

Duce loved nothing better than spending time at Bear Lake with Norma, their extended family, and friends. He looked forward to every hunting season at the cabin and to the camaraderie it occasioned. An avid sports fan all his life, he followed the Thorp Cardinals, and enjoyed watching the Wisconsin Badgers, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers, especially in the company of his grandson. During Duce’s retirement years, he and Norma took many trips with their grandchildren. Duce raised apples, grew grapes and, as a member of Sons of Norway, became an expert rosette-maker. At Christmastime, he also made beautiful balsam wreaths.

Throughout his life, Duce cherished and valued his relatives, friends and neighbors. His immediate family extends their thanks to them for the support they kindly lent Duce during his illness.

Duce is survived by two daughters: Karen (Steve) Moen of Eau Claire and Jane (G-bor) Tar of Afton, MN; three grandchildren: Ryan (Katrina) Moen, Rachel Moen and Sarah (Casey) Schroeder; a great-grandson, Brody Moen; his sisters-in-law; Ann Larson and Ede Warner; and many nephews and nieces.

Duce was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Telford; and his sister, Shirley Wittek.

A funeral service for Duce took place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Grace Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dean Simpson and Pastor Barbara Koch officiating. Visitation was from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Following the service, a reception took place at the church. Burial took place at Lakeview Cemetery, in Eau Claire, at 1:30 p.m. with Military Honors Accorded by VFW Post #305.

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral home, 814 First Avenue, Eau Claire, served the family. To express online condolences, please visit obituaries at www.lenmarkfh.com.