Clifford J. Hudek, age 86, of Maple Lake died Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Annandale Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2012 at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake with Fr. Michael Izen as the Celebrant.  Burial will follow at the parish cemetery.  Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and from 9-10 a.m. Friday, both at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake.  A prayer service will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Clifford James Hudek was born February 2, 1925 in Maple Lake to Thomas and Grace (Pavlik) Hudek.  He graduated from Maple Lake High School.  Cliff served his country in Italy as a Medic in the U.S. Army during WWII.  On October 7, 1948 he was united in marriage to Lois Marie Fouquette.  Cliff owned and operated the family farm until becoming the district manager for American Breeders Service.

Cliff was a past Commander of the Maple Lake V.F.W. Post 7664, past Chair of the Maple Lake School Board, recipient of the Minneapolis Aquatennial Commodore Award, Wright County Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year, Maple Lake Grand Marshal, Grand Marshal of the North Shore 4th of July Parade, member of the Hasty Silver Creek Sportsman's Club and the Maple Lake Community Theater.  In his later years, his passion was making sure that every veteran received an honor guard at their funeral.  Cliff enjoyed woodworking, fishing, driving his Gator, entertaining family and friends at the lake, attending his grandchildren's activities, and lending a helping hand to any community organization that asked.

He is survived by his children & their spouses Mary Jo & Larry Schulz of Fergus Falls, Carol & Larry Zeman of Ramsey and Alan & Julie of Buffalo; daughter-in-law Barb of Buffalo; brother-in-law Frank Fouquette of Buffalo; sister-in-law Dolores Fouquette of Annandale; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his wife Lois; sons David and Andrew; and brother Ralph.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren Chad Hudek, Jonathan Schulz, Rachel Erger, Elizabeth Schulz, Adia Zeman, Nick Hudek, Kendra Zeman and Danielle Hudek.  Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care of Maple Lake.

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