Heffern, Cletus J.

Cletus J. Heffern, 86, of Mason City, died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at the Nora Springs Care Center. A funeral mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams, Mason City, with the Rev. Kenneth Gehling officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania, Mason City. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be held at 7 p.m., followed by a Scriptural wake service at 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Cletus J. Heffern Memorial Fund, in care of the family.

Cletus was born Feb. 16, 1924, in La Crosse, Wis., the son of John C. and Anna (Kelley) Heffern. He graduated from Waterville School. Cletus served as a private in the U.S. Army. He married Betty Brelsford on June 18, 1949, in Perry, Iowa. They lived in Union for 12 years before moving to Mason City in 1962. He operated the locker while in Union.

Cletus worked as a livestock dealer for Hygrade, Dubuque Packing Co., and Central Livestock Association. He semiretired and continued working for Central for several years. At the time of his death, he was involved with C&S Cattle Co. with special friends Steve and Vicki Johnson of Osage.

Cletus was a true cattleman's gentleman. He was devoted to the cattle industry and his passion for it kept him going. Through the wonderful people in the industry, he met business associates who became lifelong friends. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus (for 60 years), and the Elks Lodge. Cletus was a public relations man from way back and acquired many friends with his gift. He had a generous spirit and loved to be on the go. Cletus enjoyed watching his grandchildren's sporting events, traveling with his wife on family vacations and with his siblings and spending the winter months in Arizona. His two daughters were his biggest hobby and we will truly miss his wisdom and guidance.

Cletus is survived by two daughters, Susan (Shawn) Weydert of Mason City, and Jane Goodwin of New Hampton; three granddaughters, Melissa of St. Louis, Mo., and Danielle and Michala Goodwin of New Hampton; one grandson, Jamison Weydert of Mason City; one sister, Donna Curtin of Cedar Rapids; one brother, Robert Heffern of Waukon; and a sister-in-law, Joan Heffern of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Betty in 2009; son, James Cletus Heffern in infancy; and one brother, Don Heffern.