Clifton "Cliff" Birger Stolpe

Clifton "Cliff" Birger Stolpe, 94, of Bella Vista, Ark., formerly of Sioux City, Iowa, went home to be with the Lord Dec. 7, 2018. Cliff was born June 28, 1924, in Obert, Neb., the son of Emmanuel Stolpe and his wife, Anna Stolpe (Bengtson). Cliff was one of 11 children. He served as a combat veteran in the ARMY 69th Infantry Division in WWII with honor and distinction. While in combat overseas, Cliff was seriously wounded (lived his life with shrapnel in his leg) and was offered a purple heart but turned it down because he didn't want to worry his mother. Post war, he received 2 Bronze Stars, 1 Purple Heart and the French Legion of Honor, the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits from the French government. Cliff was one of the five Stolpe brothers (Kenneth, Arvid, Raymond and Eldon Stolpe) who all served in World War II. He was a service station operator and independent mechanic for most of his life; he finished his working career with Nutra-Flo in Sioux City. Cliff was a baritone troubadour who began singing in church at 15 and went on to sing with many choirs including Barbershop, Nordic Male Chorus, Morningside Lutheran Choir and the United Lutheran Choir, and he did so until he was 94. When asked about his love for singing in church, he responded, "I always felt by singing I was praying twice." Cliff married the love of his life, Clarice, in 1944, and they retired to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1986. After Clarice passed in 1993, he remarried his second wife, Retta Epperson, in 1996, to whom he was married for 21 years. Cliff was a member of Bella Vista's United Lutheran Church. In Sioux City, he was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church. He was first and foremost a family man who enjoyed being with his beloved family and longtime friends, as well as cooking/baking for anyone who came to visit. Cliff was also known for telling many jokes — Ole and Sven jokes were his favorite. Our family will be forever grateful for this American hero who shared his love of life and family with anyone he encountered. Cliff never lost his mental capacity and was sharp until he died peacefully with his family by his side. Memorial Services will be at United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista, Ark., at 11 a.m. on Jan. 30 and Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa, at 11 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2019. Final resting place: Obert, Neb. He is preceded in death by his parents, Emmanuel Stolpe, Anna Stolpe; wives, Clarice Stolpe, Retta Stolpe (Epperson); siblings, Violet, Lillian, Kenneth, Ethel, Arvid, Norma, Eldon, Raymond, Yvonne, Emmalyn; children, Collin and Carli. He is survived by children, Clarke, Claudette, Conley, Curt, Cal, Cathy; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. To leave a condolence, visit www.newcomerdenver.com.