Roland A. Gifford

SIOUX CITY -- Roland A. "Bud" Gifford, 88, of Sioux City passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010, in Sioux City due to leukemia.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with Kevin Griggs, his grandson, and North Riverside Masonic Lodge 622 officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Roland "Bud" Gifford was born Oct. 21, 1921, in Alexandria, S.D., to George and Eva (Piatt) Gifford. Bud came to Sioux City as a child and attended East High School. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Cherokee, Iowa, before joining the U.S. Marines. Bud served during World War II in the South Pacific.

He married Cecelia Boucher on July 21, 1956, in Elk Point, S.D. They enjoyed 54 years together. Bud "Rags" worked for Frank Fisher Nursery, Armour & Co., Cudahy's, Swifts, Sioux City Dressed Pork and John Morrell before retiring at the age of 62. He then did carpentry work for several years.

He was a member of the AFL-CIO, the North Riverside Masonic Lodge 622 and had served as Past Master. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He enjoyed golfing, cooking and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Cecelia Gifford; one son, Mike Griggs and his wife, Cathy of Early, Iowa; two grandchildren, Kevin Griggs and his wife, Danielle of Boone, Iowa, and Denise Brekke and her husband, Todd of West Des Moines, Iowa; five great-grandchildren, Jessica, Talynn, Trevor, Emily and Nick; one brother, Willard Gifford of Sioux City; two sisters, Delila Mehess and Margaret Ping, both of Sioux City; a brother-in-law, John Gardner of Waterloo, Iowa; and good friend and neighbor, Marvin Peterson and his wife, Darlene of Sioux City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Betty Ann Gardner; brothers, George Gifford Jr., Walter, Donald and Don VanDeWalter Jr.

Pallbearers will be Don Prittie, Russ Snyder, Joe Lillie, Ken Snyder, Sheldon Menin and John Stewart. Honorary pallbearer will be Willard "Bill" Gifford.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland.