Clifford B. Jackson, 75, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, after a courageous battle with ALS. Celebration of Life was held on Monday, July 8, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Dobratz-Hantge Fun eral Chapel in Hutchinson. Memorials preferred to The ALS Association, DAV, or St. Croix Hospice.
Clergy Officiating: Mike Rueckert, Hospice Chaplain; Reflections: Rob Jackson, Ryan Jackson, Joe Schwebach; Special Music (CD): “Strong” by Anne Wilson, “The Painter” by Cody Johnson; Urn Bearers: Rob Jackson, Ryan Jackson, Ryan Mackenthun Clifford Bruce Jackson was born on May 23, 1949, in Holdrege, Neb., to Dorothy and Robert W. Jackson. Cliff was the youngest sibling, cherished by his older sisters Katherine Schult, Ginger Bode, and Linda Jackson.
He graduated from Brookings High School in Brookings, S.D., in 1967 and went on to attend South Dakota State University, where he studied engineering and participated in the ROTC program. During this time, he met the love of his life, Vickie, and they married on August 12, 1972.
In 1975, while living in Freemont, Neb., they joyously welcomed their first child, Rob. The family then moved to South Dakota, where they extended their family to include Tanya and Ryan in 1979. Cliff was a dedicated student and later attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering in December 1990.
Cliff and his family moved to Hutchinson in 1991. There, he began his work at Hutchinson Technology. Once the kids moved on to their next phase in 1998, Cliff and Vickie moved back to Sioux Falls, S.D., to continue his career with HTI and be near Vickie’s family. In 2008, Cliff and Vickie made the move back to Minnesota, where Cliff continued to work with HTI until he retired in 2017.
Cliff and Vickie returned to Hutchinson in 2019. After his retirement, he enjoyed his passions for Harley riding, fishing, golfing, playing cards and games, and most of all, spending time with his beloved grandchildren.
Cliff is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dorothy Jackson, and sisters Katherine and Linda. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Vickie, his sister Ginger Bode (Jay), his children Rob Jackson (Amanda), Tanya Mackenthun (Ryan), and Ryan Jackson (Amy), and his cherished grandchildren Payten, Jackson, Adilynn, Dalilah, Jonah, Jameson, Elliana, and Rosalie and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cliff will be remembered for his warmth, his dedication to family, and his zest for life. A friend once said, “Your actions and how you lived your life have told your story,” and Cliff’s story is one of love and generosity. He leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories that will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
*In memory of our adored husband and father, who was a pocket-protector-wearing engineer’s engineer, this obituary was edited with the help of the artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT.
Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com.
