Clarence C. Modlin

JEFFERSON, S.D. -- Clarence C. Modlin, 88, of Jefferson passed away Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at a Sioux City hospital after suffering a stroke.

Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, November 4, 2010 at Riverside United Methodist Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Tanya Scherrill and the Rev. Merrill Muller officiating. Private family graveside services will be in Lyons, Neb. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City.

Clarence was born Sept. 11, 1922, in Bloom, Minn., to Thomas and Anna (Churches) Modlin. He attended rural school in eastern Nebraska and graduated from Herman (Neb.) High School.

On Sept. 18, 1945, Clarence married Genevieve Jump in Decatur, Neb. The couple farmed in Northeast Nebraska until 1958, when he went to work for Irving F. Jensen/Knife River Construction Company of Sioux City. They moved to Jefferson in 1960. Clarence was employed with IFJ for 53 years until his passing. He leaves many friends there to finish the work.

Clarence enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and woodworking. One of his favorite pastimes was being Big Papa for his 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gen; three daughters, Cathy (Modlin) Smith of Sioux City, Lois and Loyd Piester of Sioux City, and Patricia Modlin; three sons, Jerry Modlin of Oklahoma, Cal and Sandy Modlin of Rapid City, S.D., and Ralph and Debbie Modlin of Sioux City; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Lillian Hensley of Iowa, and Marjorie Rasmussen of Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; and two sisters.

Clarence will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.