Ellowene Clifford

Ellowene Mae Clifford was born to Howard and Dosia Boers (Carr) in Milford, Iowa on November 17th, 1923. She graduated from Milford High School. On May 2nd, 1943, she married LaVern "Cliff" Clifford and remained in Milford while LaVern served his country in central Europe. Upon Cliff's discharge they moved to Chicago where Ellie worked and Cliff went to Communication School. After Cliff's graduation they returned to Milford and opened their own radio/TV repair shop. Ellie worked as a secretary at the Union Memorial Church in Milford for nine years then as a typesetter for the Spirit Lake Beacon. She returned to school, graduating from Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville with a degree in comuter programming. She then worked for the Spencer Municipal Hospital in the computer department for fifteen years; leaving there to work for the Northwest Aging Association as a staff advocate and care review coordinator until she retired in 2003. In 2001, while working as a staff advocate at Northwest Aging, she was awarded the Iowa outstanding Older Worker Award. Cliff and Ellie were on their way to Washington as part of that Honor on September 11, 2001 and their plane was adverted to Chicago when the Twin Towers were hit. Later in that year, they completed that trip. She retired in 2003 when Cliff and Ellie sold their big house in Milford and in May they moved into the Highlands in Spencer and remained a part of that community until their passing. Also known as the "Card Lady", Ellie was a member of the Union Memorial Church and Eastern Star. She loved to travel and play golf. Ellie preceded in death by her husband, LaVern (Cliff), her parents, Howard and Dosia Boers and her brother, Lorraine Boers. Ellie is survived by her children, Bill Clifford and Cindy Phillips and husband, Greg; eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and her sister, Darlene McCrae.