Obituary: Clifton (Dick) F. Rosenlund

Clifton (Dick) Ferdinand Rosenlund, 98, a loving husband, father, grandfather and long-term resident of Meeker, known for his humor and wit as well as his generous service to others, died peacefully Dec. 7, 2009, in Mesa, Ariz.
On Nov. 13, 1911, Clifton was born in Mayfield, Utah, to Ferdinand and Rosabell (Whitlock) Rosenlund. Clifton was the firstborn of four sons and the last to pass away. As a child in Mayfield, he acquired the nickname of Dick that remained with him for the rest of his life. Dick’s education ended at the age of 15, when he was needed to serve his family by working full time in the family sheep business in Utah, Nevada and Colorado.
Dick met Hazel Gae Kirkpatrick in Meeker in 1940 and they married in Gunnison, Utah, on Nov. 8, 1941. To this union were born three children, Loretta Gae (deceased), Gene Clifton and Cheryl Ann. In 1951, Dick and Hazel moved to Meeker where they made their home for the next 56 years. Dick was known as an avid fisherman and trapper well into his 90s, when the need for senior care took the couple to Mesa, Ariz.
Dick was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a high priest for many years. He is beloved and will be greatly missed.
Clifton was preceded in death by his daughter Loretta, his parents Ferd and Rose Rosenlund, his brothers Aubrey, Howard and Keith Rosenlund, and his grandson Ivan A. Coats.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Hazel; and children Gene (Karla) of Gilbert, Ariz., and Cheryl Coats (M. David) of West Jordan, Utah; grandchildren Melissa (John) Wolfe of Lakewood, Thurston (Pricilla) Rosenlund of Castle Rock, Logan (Trish) Rosenlund of Petaluma, Calif., Jason Coats of Weed, Calif., Vanessa Coats of Milford, Maine, and Tiffany Coats of West Jordan, Utah; great grandchildren Victoria Wittman of Lakewood, Aubrie, Natalia and Gavin Rosenlund of Petaluma, Calif., and Jaiden A. Coats of Salt Lake City; sister-in-law Blanca Rosenlund wife of Keith Rosenlund of Newberry, Fla.
Services were held Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Meeker. Interment was at Highland Cemetery.