Clifford Joseph Niemann

Clifford J. Niemann, 92 of Devils Lake, ND died on Friday, September 10, 2010 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Cliff will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Peter Sharpe will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Peter and Paul Cemetery, rural Webster, ND. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and North Dakota Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, September 13, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Cliff will be Kenny Koehn, Bert Steffen, Michael Cornett, Ken Regan, Anthony Regan and Kevin Regan. Reading the Sacred Scriptures will be Cheryl Hefta Bringing forth the Eucharistic Gifts will be Brenda Regan, Anthony Regan, Marissa Regan and Sadie Hefta. Music will be provided by Kevin Regan and Audrey Myklebust. Clifford Joseph was born in Devils Lake, ND on November 25, 1917, the son of William and Maude (Locke) Niemann. He was reared and educated in Devils Lake, graduating from Devils Lake High School with the class of 1936. While in high school he played football, sang in the choir and played clarinet in the high school band. At a very young age, Cliff worked to help his parents support their family. Cliff was united in marriage to Vivian Reiton on June 6, 1940 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. They made their home in Los Altos, California through the years raising their only child, Nicolle. Vivian died on June 3, 1987. On May 6, 1942 Cliff enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Cliff served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp as an Airplane Maintenance Technician and Crew Chief. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant on December 3, 1945 at Barksdale Field, Florida. Cliff was a “lucky” soldier while stationed at Pearl Harbor. He was fortunate that he was on a military leave the day it was bombed. After his discharge, Cliff started working with United Airlines in San Francisco, California. He began his career as a Journeyman Aircraft Mechanic. Cliff worked hard as a journeyman and attended classes and training as required to obtain his A&E licenses. (Aircraft and Engine). These licenses are required by the government in order for mechanics to work in aircraft used by the public. In 1954, Cliff was the Aircraft Inspector for United and in 1955 he was Aircraft Maintenance Foreman, retiring from United Airlines in 1980. On October 14, 1995, Cliff married his high school classmate, Jean M. Regan at Devils Lake. They made their home in Devils Lake in the summer months and traveled to California for the winter months. In June of 2001, they moved back to Devils Lake to live permanently. For the past several years, Cliff and Jean resided at the Heartland Care Center. Jean died on November 20, 2008. Cliff loved music and loved to sing, he had a beautiful singing voice. Cliff was a generous and loving man to his family and will also be remembered for his quick wit. He was very proud the day his grandson Michael joined the Marine Corps. Cliff was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Los Altos, California and St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. He was also active in the Elks Lodge in Palo Alto, California and Devils Lake. Cliff is survived by his grandson, William Michael Cornett of California; sisters-in-law, Candy Regan of Devils Lake, Helen Xydias of Sun Valley, California, Peggy Fucich of Palmdale, California and Rita Rolph of Ventura, California; brothers-in-law, David Regan of Tavares, Florida and Jack (Margaret) Regan of Simi Valley, California; special friend and family member, Agnes Regan also of Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and their families, including Jerry, Doug, Mark and Julie Reiton, Nancy Skipper, Phill and Tom Zodcave all of California and several dear friends also survive. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Vivian and Jean; daughter, Nicolle Cornett; brothers, William and John Niemann; sister, Leah; sisters-in-law, Irene Reiton and Sylvia Regan; brothers-in-law, Charles Reiton, Richard Regan and Douglas Regan and nephews, Bruce Christie and Greg Regan.