Clifford "Gene" Skidmore

Clifford “Gene” Skidmore, 81, 0f Baltic died Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at Southridge Healthcare Center in Sioux Falls.


Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Christian Church Disciples, Rock Rapids, Iowa. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery, Rock Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 6-7:00 PM Friday, February 27, 2009 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Dell Rapids.


Clifford was born August 5, 1927 near Rock Rapids to parents Silas and Senora (Shakleford) Skidmore. He grew up near Rock Rapids and attended school there. He entered the Merchant Marines during World War II and later served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was on board the USS Missouri when Japan signed the Peace Treaty. After his discharge he attended Augustana College.


Clifford married Marcia Dianne Liechty May 25, 1957 in Rock Rapids. They lived in Sioux Falls, Spokane, WA; Missoula, MT; Custer, then back to Sioux Falls before moving near Baltic. He was a truck driver for Midwest Coast and later worked at the GTA Research Farm near Ellis until his retirement. He also operated the Bridlewood Stable with his wife. Dianne died February 11, 2004.

Gene was a long time member of the Masonic Lodge.

Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter, Valerie Albers and her husband, Lance, Baltic; two sisters, Virginia Campbell, Rock Rapids; Dorothy Elkind, Santa Cruz, CA; four brothers, Bruce Skidmore, Fardis, TN; Bill Skidmore, Blaine, MN; Don Skidmore, Windsor, CA; Thomas Skidmore, Larchwood, IA; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a sister, Vera and two brothers, Clel and Burleigh.