Clifford C. Raiten, 81, of Tomah died Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at the Serenity Home, Tomah.
He was born April 10, 1930, to Melvin and Mariam (McDaniel) Raiten in Cashton. He was baptized into the Christian faith on May 17, 1930, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cashton and confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church in New Lisbon on Aug. 12, 1945. He grew up in the Elroy and Norwalk area Clifford proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. He was a member of the William J. Schriver American Legion Post 309 (Kendall).
Clifford was united in marriage to Ida Morris on May 9, 1953, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mauston. This union was blessed with four sons: Daniel, David, Darrell and Dale. She preceded him in death July 9, 1986. On Sept. 29, 1990, Clifford was united in marriage to Ruth Ambort at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kendall. Together they resided in Oakdale until 2004, when they relocated to Tomah.
For many years, Clifford was a nursing assistant for the Department of Veterans Affairs, working in Oregon, South Dakota and Wisconsin. He was the owner and operator of Raiten’s General Store in Kendall. He worked at Fort McCoy for several years before retiring in 1985. Cliff was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed the annual deer hunting season, in which he and his boys participated for many years; hunting trips out West; his many camping trips; and fishing trips to Lake Michigan, He enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends. Cliff was an 8 millimeter camera man; he enjoyed recording family events.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Ruth; four sons, Daniel (Tamela) of Wiesbaden, Germany, David (Nancy) of Kendall, Darrell of Tomah and Dale of New Lisbon; four grandchildren, James of Tomah, William of Hillsboro, Joseph of West Salem, Wis., and Rebecca of Hillsboro; one great-granddaughter, Abigail; six siblings, Richard of Tomah, Louise (Alfred) Dunham of Stoughton, Wis., Bernice (Otto) Hanson of Viroqua, Clarice Paulsen of Edwardsville, Ill., and Malend (Margaret) and Laird, both of Sparta; a brother-in-law, Jerry Abner of Dothan, Ala.; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ida; two sisters, Janice and Mary Lou; a brother, Melford; an infant sister, Glenice; and an infant brother, Harland.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Pastor Mark W. Benning will officiate. Burial will be in Mauston Cemetery, with military honors by William J. Schriver American Legion Post 309 of Kendall. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 4–8 p.m. Monday and from 10–11 a.m. Tuesday. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com. Memorials may be given in Clifford’s memory to Good Shephard Lutheran Church, Hospice Touch or a charity of choice.
