Clifford was born on March 1, 1907, the son of Elmer and Sophia Simonson in Nerstrand, Minnesota. When Clifford was four years old, the family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he attended grade school and high school. He continued his education at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks and graduated with the Class of 1929 with a degree in education. Clifford began his 34-year teaching career as an industrial arts teacher at the Grand Forks Junior High School. In the fall of his fourth year of teaching, the superintendent of Grand Forks schools asked him if he could skate. At the reply of a yes answer, he was asked to be the new hockey coach. In 1933, he moved to Minnesota where he taught in Sherburne and St. Louis Park. He also taught in Miami, Florida, and in Des Moines, Iowa, for 22 years. In 1932, Clifford was married to Lillian Marie Knarreborg.
Clifford served in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He repaired ships on Naval bases in Florida and Washington. Upon Clifford’s discharge from the U.S. Navy, he moved to Alexandria. He taught industrial arts classes for three years at Central Junior High School. He later was a building contractor and cabinetmaker for several years, building 42 homes in the Alexandria area. His wife, Lillian died on March 30, 1989.
On June 24, 1989, Clifford married Evelyn (Engdahl) Goodrich at First Lutheran Church. The couple made their home on east Lake Carlos.
Clifford was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed bowling and baseball. He was a huge Minnesota Twins fan and a good amateur baseball pitcher. Clifford enjoyed fishing on the area lakes and was excellent at filleting fish. He was a former member of the Carlos Lions and American Legion.
Clifford died on May 3, 2001, at the Douglas County Hospital, at the age of 94. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lillian Marie and brother, Dr. Donald Bennett Simonson. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn of Carlos; daughters: Donna Marie Fisher of Newport News, VA; Nancy Ann (Jim) Broz of Eden Prairie; Janet Elaine (Stephen) Eisele of Des Moines, IA; son Curtis Clifford (Donna) Simonson of Fairacres, NM; stepsons: Lowell (Jutta) Goodrich of Litchfield; Gary Goodrich of Fargo, ND; stepdaughter, Lois (Donald) Hudson of Miltona; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a sister Genevieve (Paul) Lutzke of Rochester, MN.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, May 8, 2001, at the First Lutheran Church with Reverend Rollen Holverson officiating. Diane Alveshere was the organist, and Bruce Aga, soloist.
Interment was in Carlos Prairie Cemetery. Pallbearers were William Young, Gregory Young, Stephen Eisele, Paul Lutzke, Lloyd Norgren and Don Hudson. Military honors were accorded by the American Legion Post #87.
Arrangements were entrusted with Anderson Funeral Home.