Clifford Ouse

Clifford M. Ouse, a resident of West Fargo, and formerly of Richville, MN died Monday, November 7, 2011, at the Palliative Care Unit at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 81 years. Clifford Melvin Ouse was born February 5, 1930, on the family farm west of Rothsay, Minnesota. He was the son of Melvin and Celia (Morris) Ouse. Cliff was baptized and confirmed at the Hamar Lutheran Church in Rothsay, and graduated from Rothsay High School in 1948. Cliff started farming in 1949 in partnership with his father, raising registered Hereford cattle and registered Berkshire hogs. He showed cattle and hogs at livestock shows and county fairs. On October 7, 1950, he married Darlene Mae Pederson at the Hamar Lutheran Church. Together they farmed in Tanberg Township until 1976. During the farming years, besides raising four children, Cliff became a Rothsay 4-H Club leader, and served on numerous civic organizations: Rural School Board, Township Board, Co-op Board, Beef Improvement Association Board, Red River Valley Livestock Association Board, and chairman of the Wilkin County Democratic Party Organization. Cliff began dabbling in local politics and it seemed was following in his father’s civic footsteps when he ran in the 1966 “special” election for State Representative. In 1971 Cliff became the Farmer Fieldman for Congressman Bob Bergland and in 1976 the “country boy” left the farming operation and moved to Washington, DC to work full time in Congressman Bergland’s Congressional Office. He became the confidential assistant to Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland in 1977. In 1981 he joined the Government Relations Department of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and in 1990 became Executive Director of the Department. In 1995 he retired and moved back to Minnesota. In retirement he traveled extensively in the United States and many foreign countries. Cliff and his wife, Darlene, received the Wilkin County Farm and Homemaker Award at the Red River Valley Winter Shows. He also received the Outstanding Commercial Cattleman’s Award and the National Potato Growers Award for outstanding service. Cliff had a private pilot license and was a member of the Minnesota Flying Farmers, Farmers Union, National Farmers Organization and Communicating for America. He was also a member of the New Life Lutheran Church, Rothsay Lions Club, Town and Country Club, Bois de Sioux Toastmasters Club, and Chairman of the Wilkin County Rural Area Development. Cliff loved his family and especially time spent with them and friends at his home on Pickeral Lake. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, true friend and confidant. He touched many people’s lives with his warm personality and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his daughter, Connie (Dewey) Grunewald of West Fargo, ND, and son, Craig (Sandy) Ouse of Rothsay, MN; his 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Froslie and Margie (Buddy) Halbakken; brothers, Lloyd (Gladys) Ouse and Ralph (Roberta) Ouse; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene, in 1992, his son, Todd, in 1995, and his daughter, Robin, in 2011. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the church with a 7 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 2 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2011, at New Life Lutheran Church, Rothsay, Minnesota Clergy: Reverend Paul Huso Interment: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay, Minnesota Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are preferred to the New Life Lutheran Church Building Fund.