Cletus G. Friedman

Cletus G. Friedman, 85, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton following a long illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton with Father Ardel Barta as Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton, with military rites performed by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 and Iowa Military Funeral Honors.

Cletus was born Feb. 8, 1927, in Luxemburg, Iowa, the son of Clem and Theresa Hoffman Friedman. Cletus proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II.

On June 5, 1975, Cletus was united in marriage with Blanche “Micki” O’Donnell at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton. She preceded him in death on May 3, 1993.

Cletus worked at Wilson Pack in Cedar Rapids for 30 years. He was also a driver for Benton County Transport in Vinton.

Cletus was an active member of the Vinton community and belonged to St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus; Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post 57, AMVETS 218 and VFW Post 8884. He also enjoyed playing cards, dancing and spending time with family and friends.

Cletus is survived by 10 children, Linda (Doug) Powell of Victor, Bob Friedman of Austin, Texas, Dave (Sheryl) Friedman of Blakesburg, Dan (Monica) Friedman of Belle Plaine, Judy (Terry) Van Tomme of Brooklyn, Gary (Jo) Friedman of DeWitt, Dennis (Vicki) Friedman of Jefferson, Sandy (Jim) Scott of Fayetteville, Ga., Margaret (Darrel) Johnson of Marengo, and Mary (Mike DeRycke) Longfellow of Belle Plaine; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one brother, Cyril “Bud” Friedman of Illinois; three sisters, Lucille (Merlin) Goedken of Oelwein, Eileen Thompson of Central City and Sister Madonna Friedman of Waterloo; and special friend, June Salerno of Vinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Blanche “Micki” Friedman; two brothers: James and Robert Friedman; and two sisters: LaVonne Breckenfelder and Mary Rasmussen.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Cletus and his family.

Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 7, 2012.