Funeral services for Laverne “Cliff” Cox, age 70, of Sun City, Ariz., will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The Rev. Wayne Halvorson will officiate. Interment will be in the Center Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, rural Leland, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Cliff, as he preferred to be called, was born July 23, 1940, at his home in Leland, Iowa. He attended country elementary school and graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1958. Cliff went onto to complete carpentry trade school. He made a career out of building homes throughout the Albert Lea area. On Sept. 3, 1960, Cliff married Jean Ulstad in Casper, Wyo. They lived in Casper for around 10 years before heading back to the Midwest. Cliff and Jean lived most of their married life in Albert Lea where they raised four children: Ron, Arlene, Audra and Janel. They were members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Cliff and Jean retired in Sun City West, Ariz., more than seven years ago. They enjoyed club square dancing as a couple, both in Minnesota and most recently in Arizona. Cliff and Jean truly treasured their retirement years together in Arizona, from the luxury of all the fruit trees that were right at hand, in their own back yard, to just being able to get out and enjoy all the winter months, leaving their old snow shovels behind. Cliff and Jean celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past September while at the same time celebrating Cliff’s 70th birthday with family and friends.

Cliff had a great love of the outdoors; he was a true outdoorsman. He was an avid wild game hunter and enjoyed fishing as well. What people will probably remember most about Cliff is his sense of humor. His conversations typically began with a joke, which were not always the most appropriate ones you were prepared to hear. He always loved a good laugh. Cliff enjoyed time spent with his eight beautiful grandchildren, who will miss him dearly.

We will always remember you, Cliff.

You were a wonderful husband, a dear father, a special grandpa and great friend to many!

Cliff is survived by his wife Jean T. Cox; children: Ronald Cox, Arlene (David) Long, Audra Cox, Janel (Patrick) Lacke; brothers: Kenneth (Mavis) Cox, Wallace (Elaine) Cox; brother-in-law the Rev. Harold Krentz; sisters: Dorothy Olson and Georgia (Wayne) Andersen; grandchildren: Jordan, Cody, Jenna, Logan, Taylor, Bain, Jaren and Julia.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mabel Cox, his brother Virgil Cox and sister Vivian Krentz.