Clinton D. Mehlhaff

CLERGY
Rev. Ron Shifley
MUSIC
Organist ~ Linda Kronaizl
Special Music by Patty Anderson
Congregational Hymns
“How Great Thou Art”
“Amazing Grace”
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Clinton’s Great-Grandchildren,
Step-Grandchildren, and
Step-Great-Grandchildren
CASKETBEARERS
Laura Harrington
Hope Mehlhaff
Janae Mehlhaff
Wendy Kayl
Paul Harrington
Jared Mehlhaff
Jeffrey Mehlhaff
Luke Mehlhaff
Clinton David Mehlhaff was born on January 10, 1932 to David and Sophia (Holzwarth) Mehlhaff. He grew up on a farm near Kaylor, South Dakota. As a child, he enjoyed his trips to school as he rode on a cart pulled by his prized billy goat. As a young man, Clinton began working as a farmer. On November 23, 1952, he was united in marriage to Marie E. Fischer in Menno. Together they made their home near Kaylor where they farmed, milked dairy cows, raised pigs and chickens. For a time, he worked for Weber Grain Elevator in Lesterville. Following Clinton’s retirement from farming, in 1968 the family moved into Scotland. It was around this time that he began working for the Scotland Co-op and did for 20+ years. Clinton was a diligent, hard-worker all his life.
Throughout his life, Clinton was a dedicated family man. The family took regular vacations together, frequently touring the Black Hills or visiting relatives. Clinton also loved the outdoors, spending numerous days boating, fishing, and camping. Camping with the family was always a treat, especially the memorable trip to Canada and the Memorial Day holidays spent at Lake Herman near Madison with the Mehlhaff, Fischer, and Petzoldt families.
Clinton was always willing to help his family with his talents and knowledge. Being a son of an owner and operator of a meat locker himself, Clinton made sure to pass the skills of the trade down to his children and grandchildren. He taught them the way to cut beef and pork as well as how to make the homemade family recipe sausage. Clinton was also a handyman who enjoyed woodworking. He made bean bag games, Christmas decorations, toy boxes, Barbie doll houses, and helped with the various projects and maintenance to his children’s homes. He was an attentive, supportive father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Clinton had a sweet tooth for chocolate chip cookies and his favorite hard candies during Christmas. He also had an unending humor and loved to play his practical jokes on others.
Clinton and Marie were strong in their Christian faith and walked to church hand-in-hand every Sunday to United Church of Christ in Scotland.
In August 2013, Clinton moved to Wagner to be closer to his family. On Wednesday, March 2, 2016, Clinton passed away at the Good Samaritan Society of Wagner having attained the age of 84 years, 1 month, and 21 days.
Grateful for having shared Clinton’s life are his children: Marlene (Don) Harrington, John (Jeanne) Mehlhaff, and Jack (Michelle) Mehlhaff; 8 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; brothers Ruben (Olga) Mehlhaff and Lawrence “Rudy” (Bonnie) Mehlhaff; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He will be remembered by numerous relatives, his Christian family, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Marie in 2013 and his parents.