On Jan. 7 2016, at 11 a.m., Cliff went to sleep at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Austin surrounded by family and woke up in heaven.

Cliff was born Feb. 26 1938, in Austin, Minnesota, grew up in the Ramsey/Todd Park area, and was a 1956 graduate of Austin High School. Many friends will remember Cliff from his days with the Eagles and Moose softball teams and the mighty Anderson Radiator broomball team. Cliff was an avid hunter and fisherman. He worked his way up to become manager/owner of Cliff’s Western gas station before employment at Hormel’s. As a proud P-9 member, he strongly supported his rank and file colleagues. Above all, Cliff always worked hard to support his family. He retired in 2000 to enjoy traveling and eventually became expert at mowing golf course roughs.

Cliff would say his greatest joys were his 1958 marriage to Patricia Jean Luthe — the love of his life since fourth grade — and the four kids they raised together: Randy (Ann) Bailey of Apple Valley, Susan (David) Marek of Chaska, Sara (Patrick Kruse) Miller of Albert Lea, and William Bailey of Lansing.

He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Mabel Bailey; brothers: Arnold and Everett; and sister Iris.

He is survived by siblings: Rita, Karen, and Willis; wonderful wife Patty; his four kids; grandkids: Sophie, Maxwell, Zoe, and Gracie; and great-grandchild Charlotte.

Cliff was a good man. His last generous act was to donate his body to the Mayo Medical Research program; his spirit is either out West searching for buried treasure, tracking a fox through a snowy field, or trying to confirm his “moon landings were faked!” theory.

An informal remembrance and memorial gathering will be hosted by his family on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Living, 400 15th Ave. SW in Austin.