Clifford Oleson Sr.

Clifford A. Oleson, Sr. (Mow Daddy) 100 years old of Yorkville passed away at his home surrounded by his family on January 14, 2026.

Clifford was born to Lu Roy and Clara (Vance) Oleson on August 7th, 1925, in LeRoy, Illinois.

During his senior year of high school in 1943, he was drafted into the U. S. Army. After basic training he was assigned to the Signal Corp in Iceland during WWII. LeRoy High School awarded him an Honorary Diploma after he completed his tour of duty.

In 1947 he married Lois Bishop and they had 2 children, Clifford, Jr. and Marie.

After moving to the Plano area for work, he met and married JeanAnn Rasmusen in 1957. They had three children - Nancy, Jane, and Scott.

Cliff was employed by Federal Huber in Plano until 1967 and then became employed at Caterpillar Tractor in Aurora where he retired in 1990. Clifford could also be seen enjoying his part-time job stocking shelves at Eagle Store in Plano or filling in as a part-time sheriff deputy in Kendall County. After retirement Clifford took a job with the Kendall County Forest Preserve taking care of county park grounds.

In his spare time Clifford was a trustee for Bristol Township, a member and past commander at Yorkville American Legion Post #489, as well as the lawn care specialist for several entities when he earned the name “Mow Daddy” from his great grand kids.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Roger and Harold, his sister Helen Sawyer, his wife JeanAnn in 2003, and his son-in-law Mike Helm in 1999.

Clifford is survived by his children Clifford (Linda) Oleson, Jr. of Plano, granddaughter Mary Ellen and grandsons Chris (Anna), and Eric. Marie Helm of Humboldt, Illinois, and grandson Kenny Helm. Nancy (Todd) Glover of Eldridge, Missouri, and grandson Karic (Katrina) Glover. Jane (John) Philhower of Ohio, Illinois, grandson Aaron Kubisak, granddaughters Nichole Philhower and Renae (Patrick) Lemmer. Scott (Tammy) Oleson of Bradford, Illinois, granddaughters MacKenzie, LeAnn, Toni (John Robison) Storey, and grandson Mike (Jaclynn Koch) Maxwell.

He is also survived by 18 great grandchildren and all of his Yorkville America Legion Family.

A visitation will be held on Monday, January 19th, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Beverage Family Funeral Home, 104 Terry St. Sandwich, IL 60548. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm at the funeral home with a graveside service to follow out to Oak Ridge Cemetery in Sandwich.

If desired memorials may be made to the Yorkville American Legion Post #489.

Arrangements were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com