Russel D. Clifford

Russel Clifford, beloved Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, brother, musician, teacher and friend, died May 27, 2025, at UnityPoint – St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, IA with his family and loved ones by his side. He was 78.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Morningside University Eppley Auditorium (3625 Garretson Ave). Visitation is Friday evening, May 30, 2025, from 5:00- 8:00 pm at Christy-Smith Funeral Home, Morningside Chapel (1801 Morningside Ave), with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Russel Dean Clifford was born September 25, 1946, in Estherville, IA, to Donald and Carrie “Leone” (Goodell) Clifford. He attended Excelsior Country School and graduated from Milford High School in 1965. Following high school, he attended Morningside College from 1965-1969, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, BME.

On June 8, 1968, he was united in marriage with Marilyn Williams at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City, IA. From this union, they had 3 wonderful children, Jennifer, Kari and Brian. Russ and Marilyn would be celebrating 57 years of marriage next month. His first teaching position was in Jefferson, South Dakota. He went on to teach music in Everly, Iowa and Bishop Heelan and West High Schools in Sioux City. He was the Minister of Music at Morningside Lutheran Church for 14 years and he accompanied the vocal department at Westwood-Sloan for over 25 years.

Russ served as an adjudicator for over thirty years for the Iowa High School Music Association and the Nebraska High School Music Association. Russ was a member of the Iowa Choral Directors Association, the American Choral Directors Association, and the Iowa Music Educators Association. Russ served as a conductor and clinician at several honor choir festivals throughout the states of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. He was the inaugural recipient of the Morningside University Visual and Performing Arts CODA Legacy Award in 2020.

Russ was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church serving as an Elder, Deacon, Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, and pianist. After retirement, he volunteered at UnityPoint – St. Luke's Hospital in the ICU and ER. He was also a member of the Sioux City Breakfast Sertoma Club in which he earned the Sertonian of the Year in 2012.

Anyone who knew Russ knows that he was always larger than life and had a gift for bringing people together. Russ had the unique ability to know and love everyone he encountered on a very personal and genuine level, leaving every one of his students, friends, children, and grandchildren feeling as if they were his favorite. Those closest to him will recall the true joy he received from hosting and telling stories. He loved singing, playing piano, and listening to beautiful music and took advantage of these opportunities every chance he got. He was also the world’s biggest cheerleader and found so much joy in watching his grandchildren compete and participate in their various sports and activities.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Marilyn; daughters, Jennifer Walters, Sioux City, IA, and Kari Edwards (Todd), Williamston, MI; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; brother, Mark (Mary) Clifford, Lake Park, IA and sister, Beverly Lindsey, Hendersonville, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Brian Clifford.

Memorials may be directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2915 Glenn Avenue, Sioux City, IA 51106 or to the family as they establish an annual Vocal Music Scholarship in Russ’ name and honor.