Clifford Branstad

Clifford Branstad 90, of Thompson died November 10, 2014 at the Lake Mills Care Center, Lake Mills, Iowa.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 P.M Wednesday, November 12, 2014 from. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Thompson, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, November 13, 2014 at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Thompson, Iowa with Pastor Lynn Noel officiating.

Private family burial at Rose Hill Cemetery with military rites by the Leland V.F.W. #6161 will follow the service. Family requests memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.

Clifford was born in Newton Township, Winnebago County on April 23, 1924, the son of Philip A. G. and Lydia (Siekmeier) Branstad. He attended local schools and graduated from Thompson High School. He married Grace Martin of Northwood, Iowa. Five children were born to this union- Jean, Janet, Philip, Michael and James.

He entered the Air force in 1943 flying 41 bombing missions over Germany, North Africa and Italy after which he flew himself back to the United States. After discharge he attended and graduated from the University of Iowa. He started farming in the Thompson area in 1951. He also served 18 years in the Iowa Legislature.

Clifford is survived by wife, Grace Branstad; children, Jean (Gary) Wunder of Thompson, Philip (Petra) of Mountain Home, Idaho, Michael (Hannele) of Forest City and James (Kimberly) of Keota; brothers, Don (Verneil) of Minneapolis, Glenn of Bensonville, Illinois and brother-in-law, Francis Burnham of Forest City, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Janet; brother, Paul and sisters, Doris Lehman, Lorraine Branstad and Julie Burnham.