Clifford E. Evert, 87, of Santa Ana, California and Scandia, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at Salina, Kansas Regional Health Care Center, enroute from Santa Ana to Scandia. He was born November 8, 1922 on the family farm near Republic (Sherdahl),
Kansas
the son of Elmer O. and Addie (Thompson) Evert. Clifford grew up there attending Ambrose country school and graduated from
Republic
High School
in 1940. He attended
Kansas
Wesleyan
University
on a basketball scholarship, and then enlisted in the Merchant Marines in 1942 where he served in both the
Atlantic
and Pacific theaters during WWII. Following his discharge, he sailed on Standard Oil tankers until 1948. Clifford was united in marriage to Jetty L. Linden on August 5, 1947 at St. Peter's
Lutheran
Church
in
Deshler
,
Nebraska
. They lived for a short time in
New York City
, managed a Co-op Oil company in Republic for 3 years, and worked for the Missouri Pacific railroad for 3 years before moving to
Santa Ana
,
California
. Clifford was employed by the Tustin Cement Pipe Co. for 17 years. In 1969 he began his work for the city of
Tustin
. He retired as Maintenance Supervisor after 17 years. In retirement, he and Jetty greatly enjoyed touring the country in their motor home. They took trips to places including
Alaska
and the East Coast, but their favorite and most common destination was
Kansas
. Clifford's greatest joy was his family. In addition to being a wonderful husband and father, he was an exceptional grandfather and great grandfather. He took the kids on trips and fishing excursions, and supported them by attending their sporting events and dance recitals. Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; sisters June Vance and Mary Lou Delker; one brother Elden Evert. He will be forever remembered by Jetty, his wife of 63 years; daughter Leslie Lynn Moline and husband Charles; grandchildren Michelle Engle & husband Eric, Sean Moline and Ashley Moline; great grandchildren Joshua, Shannon and Caleb Engle all of Orange, California; sister Darlene (Evert) Jensen, Courtland, Kansas; sister-in-law Betty Evert, Republic, Kansas; thirty nieces and nephews; extended family and numerous friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at the
United
Methodist
Church
,
Scandia
,
Kansas
with Pastor Kathy Aeillo officiating. Burial was in
Riverview
Cemetery
,
Scandia
. Memorials may be made to the Methodist Church of Republic or Just Compensation Committee of the Merchant Marines.
