Cletus Cyril Althoff

Cletus C. Althoff, 93, of Lansing, IA, formerly of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, August 20, 2017, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 25th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family from 10:15 AM until time of service at the church on Friday. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.

Cletus Cyril "Clet" Althoff was born October 24, 1923 in rural Lansing, IA, the son of Alex Theodore and Martha Margaret (Teeling) Althoff. He moved with his family to Dubuque, IA, when in grade school and graduated from high school there. Clet attended Loras College in Dubuque. Before graduating he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He served at a number of bases across the county and became a head pilot for B-17 crews. While still in the service, Clet married Iva Nell "Ivy" Kurdelmeier on December 29, 1944, in Dyersburg. TN. Following his discharge, Clet and Ivy moved to Manchester, IA, where he managed and was the golf pro at the Manchester Golf & Country Club. After that he helped his parents operate the Althoff's Al-Mar Supper Club in Edgewood, IA. Clet and Ivy moved to Waukon, IA, in 1961 where Clet exhibited his entrepreneurial spirit by starting and operating numerous local businesses. He began by opening The Outlet, an army surplus store. Later he started The Wigwam, a popular recreational center featuring billiards, slot cars, food and socializing for local youth. The Fabric Chalet came next where he sold fabrics and sewing machines. Finally was The Inside Story featuring an interior design service along with sewing machines and supplies.

Clet was a member of Waukon Golf & Country Club and St. Patrick Catholic Church. He enjoyed golf, flying, playing cards, and shooting pool. He loved to travel and spent considerable time raising a garden at his home.

Survivors include his wife Ivy of Lansing (formerly Waukon); his children: Cheryl Brenner of Gallatin Gateway, MT, Ann (Mike) Gallagher of Lansing, and C. C. (Mary) Althoff of Waukon; 4 grandchildren: Tyler (Shawna) Brenner, Ari (Josh) Carroll, Buck (Abigail) Olson, and Alexa (Chris Garro) Althoff; Clete and Ivy also shared five great-grandchildren: Devyn and Madison Brenner, Leif and Lux Olson, and Finn Carroll. He is preceded in death by his parents.