White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Clifford F. Strempke, 78 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, February 7, 2013, at ABCM Rehab Independence-East in Independence.  He was born on March 6, 1934, in Brandon, Iowa, the son of Carl Rinerd and Margaret Alice (Hults) Strempke.  He attended school in Brandon.  On July 21, 1954, he and the former Norma Jean Ohl were married in Independence, Iowa.  Mr. Strempke then served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  When he returned home, he was a milk man for the Independence Dairy.  Later he worked at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids and farmed.  He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence and the Ross-Reid American Legion Post #9 in Oelwein.  Mr. Strempke enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren, splitting wood, farming, and working in his yard.  He also liked to tinker with tractors.

Mr. Strempke is survived by his wife of 58 years, Norma, 1 son, Karl (Jini) Strempke of Melbourne, Florida, 3 daughters, Karlita (David) Jacobsen of Independence, Iowa, Linda (Ronald) Schrage of Anna, Ohio, and Tracy (Darrell) Wencke of Mays, Indiana.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 1 brother, Carl (April) Strempke of Rustburg, Virginia, and 4 sisters, Jayne White of Oregon, Illinois, Jo An Ramsey of Independence, Iowa, Irene Kremer of Fairbank, Iowa, and Ruthe Gentry of Sandpoint, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 twin infant sons, Ronald and Donald, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 2013, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, Iowa, with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Jamie Jacobsen and Erica Schrage. Casket Bearers will be Ryan Strempke, Jeremiah Jacobsen, Joshua Jacobsen, Korey Strempke, Jonathan Jacobsen, Justin Jacobsen, Michael Schrage, Ben Wencke, and Josiah Jacobsen.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.

White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.  Friends may call for visitation from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9^th, and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 10^th, at the funeral home.