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Donald Leo “Nick” Clifford

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Birth	:	5 Jul 1921 Pierre, Hughes County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	23 Nov 2019 Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Keystone Cemetery, Keystone, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.8835983, -103.4147034
Description	:	Resident of Keystone, SD. Son of Francis and Margaret Clifford. His family moved to Keystone in 1923 where he was educated in the Keystone School. His first job, at age seven, was delivering the Rapid City Journal to about 100 Keystone homes. After completing the required 10 grades, he got a job at the Etta Mine in Keystone. At age 17, he joined the crew that was carving Mount Rushmore where he worked from 1938 to 1940, first as a laborer, and eventually a winchman and driller. He also played on the Rushmore Memorial Baseball Team during those... Read More	Resident of Keystone, SD. Son of Francis and Margaret Clifford. His family moved to Keystone in 1923 where he was educated in the Keystone School. His first job, at age seven, was delivering the Rapid City Journal to about 100 Keystone homes. After completing the required 10 grades, he got a job at the Etta Mine in Keystone. At age 17, he joined the crew that was carving Mount Rushmore where he worked from 1938 to 1940, first as a laborer, and eventually a winchman and driller. He also played on the Rushmore Memorial Baseball Team during those three years. He was married to Betty Hartwell from Pierre, SD from 1942 to 1966. They had three children: Bette Katherine, Karen Ann, and Donald Eric. He served in WWII from 1942 to 1946. He spent the last two years in the European Theater in the 8th Air Force Signal Corps. After an honorable discharge he learned the dry-cleaning business from his older brother, and later opened his own shop, the Custer Cleaners. From 1957 through 1967, he operated the concession at Sylvan Lake Resort in Custer State Park. He married Carolyn Moen in Houston, TX in 1974. While in Houston, he owned a Flaming Pit restaurant franchise and a Tobaccoland franchise. They moved back to Keystone and opened the Dip-A-Lot Ice cream and Sandwich shop. His lasting legacy began at age 79 when he was invited by the Concessionaire at Mount Rushmore to visit with the tourists, answer their questions, and sign his book. He continued going to Mount Rushmore until November 7th; he enjoyed meeting new people every day. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of 45 years; daughters, Karen Elliott and Kaye Wesson of Henderson, NV; son, Donald of Tucson, AZ; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; twin great-great-granddaughters; nieces and nephews, many friends, and a host of "fans" who met him at Mount Rushmore. At the time of his death, he was for the past 12 years, the last living carver of Mount Rushmore. Maternal connection and birth date provided by FaG Contributor: Honoring Our Veterans, No. 47841402

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Donald Leo “Nick” Clifford's memorial?
Donald Leo “Nick” Clifford's memorial is located at: Keystone Cemetery, Keystone, Pennington County, USA.
When did Donald Leo “Nick” Clifford death?
Donald Leo “Nick” Clifford death on 23 Nov 2019 in Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Donald Leo “Nick” Clifford's memorial?
Latitude: 43.8835983
Longitude: -103.4147034

Family Members:

Parent

Margaret Stangle Clifford

(1894 - 1954)

Spouse

Beatrice Elnor “Betty” Hartwell Clifford

(1923 - 2013)

Siblings

Francis Joseph Clifford

(1917 - 1995)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Keystone Cemetery
Keystone, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8835983, -103.4147034

2. Harney City Cemetery
Harney, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8908000, -103.3887800

3. Hayward Cemetery
Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8879500, -103.3511800

4. Rockerville Cemetery
Rockerville, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9681015, -103.3572006

5. McGillycuddy Monument
Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8865110, -103.5670850

6. Hill City Cemetery
Hill City, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 43.9366270, -103.5789730

7. Thunderhead Mountain
Custer, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8346510, -103.6221890

8. Highland Park Cemetery
Hermosa, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 43.8386750, -103.2044510

9. Major James Whitehead Burial Site
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7169500, -103.4535500

10. Custer Cemetery
Custer, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 43.7781181, -103.6159592

11. Pine Lawn Memorial Park
Rapid City, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0410995, -103.2472000

12. Mount Calvary Cemetery
Rapid City, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0628014, -103.2583008

13. Mountain View Cemetery
Rapid City, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0657997, -103.2596970

14. Rapid City Indian School Cemetery
Rapid City, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0755970, -103.2719060

15. Saint Martin Monastery Cemetery
Rapid City, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1036150, -103.3042360

16. Emmanuel Episcopal Church Memorial Garden
Rapid City, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0782000, -103.2310000

17. Black Hills Flood Memorial
Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0865000, -103.2263600

18. Fairburn Cemetery
Fairburn, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6871986, -103.1956024

19. Evergreen Cemetery
Rapid Valley, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0731000, -103.1723000

20. Cold Springs Cemetery
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6232700, -103.5075000

21. Blackhawk Cemetery
Black Hawk, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1436005, -103.3063965

22. William Coogan Gravesite
Rapid City, Pennington County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0980340, -103.1526090

23. Cornelius Donahue Burial Site
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6079380, -103.2996950

24. Pringle Cemetery
Pringle, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 43.6086006, -103.6042023