Clifford "Cliff" J. Lindner

Clifford “Cliff” J. Lindner, age 94, of Watertown, SD, formerly of Thomas, SD, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in Watertown, SD.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown, SD.   Father Christopher Hughes will be the celebrant.  Music will be provided by Mary Fox as Organist with Deb Schroeder as cantor.  The funeral service will be live-streamed via our website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and prior to mass at the church on Thursday.

Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Watertown, SD.  Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard.  Honorary pallbearers will be Cliff’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.  Active pallbearers will be Bill Schmit, Trevor Mischke, Torrie Lindner, Chris Geiger, Andy Kelly, and Jordan Lindner.

Cliff was born on January 10, 1931, in Watertown, SD, to Peter and Louise (Dummer) Lindner.  He attended Waverly school for a time before he started helping his dad on the family farm.  Cliff enlisted into the United States Army on May 13, 1952, and served until May 12, 1954.    

On August 8, 1953, Cliff married Patricia “Pat” Perry at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown, SD.  Cliff worked for the city of Watertown in the Street Department for over 24 years.  He also worked for Dakota Poultry as the night shift supervisor, maintenance for the Willow Lake Livestock, and a little bit of yard work on the side. 

Cliff was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Grover, SD.  In his younger years he enjoyed to hunt and fish.  He had roughly a one acre garden on the Lindner’s Lazy Acre’s they called it.  Cliff and Pat enjoyed a few trips to Branson, MO, as well.

Cliff is survived by his children, Janet (David) Olivares, of Clovis, CA, Joyce (Tim) Carston, of Watertown, SD, Larry (June) Lindner, of Watertown, SD, Terry (Teri) Lindner, of Trinity, TX, Jackie (Monty) Geiger, of Faulkton, SD, Gary (Butch Ritter) Lindner, of Plankinton, SD, Dan Lindner, of Watertown, SD, and June (Greg) Briggs, of Watertown, SD; son-in-law, Ken Schmit, of Castlewood, SD; 24 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and step-grandchildren; and one brother, Darrell Lindner, of Sioux Falls, SD.

Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; his parents; one daughter, Judy Schmit; and several brothers and sisters.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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