Cletus Eugene Shively

Cletus Shively went to his heavenly home on August 17, 2026 at the age of 94.

Cletus was born April 23, 1932, at home in Rock Falls, Wisconsin, to Alice and David Shively. He was the second of two sons. He was named after a friend of his father's, but to most he was known as Jim. When Cletus was three months old, his father was struck by lightning and killed while working in North Dakota on the family farm. In 1934 his mother married Richard Stelter and the family grew with the addition of four sisters and one brother.

He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Elk Mound and graduated from the 8th grade. He then stayed home to help on the family farm until he was 18. When his stepfather Richard, whom Cletus referred to as a very, very good and hardworking man, sold off the dairy cattle, it was then time for him to find a job.

He moved to Milwaukee in 1950 and began working in the machine shop of Allis-Chalmers. He lived in various rooming houses before being drafted into the army during the Korean war where he served two years in artillery from 1952 until 1954. Then he went back to Allis-Chalmers for the next 10 years.

He met Lorraine Joers on a blind double date, and they were married on June 11, 1955, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, and raised three daughters. He was a hard worker and always provided for his family, even if that meant shoveling snow for the city while laid off. But his dream was to drive trucks and that finally became a reality in 1965 after taking 3 full weeks and going to truck driver training school 7 days a week. He passed the tests and started working for Knox Motors. He was never laid off again. Cletus drove for 30 years and retired May 30, 1995. In 1997, they moved to Altoona.

Cletus enjoyed riding his Harley, camping, and traveling with his family and eventually long trips with Lorraine until her death in 2013. He later got to know and love (his very good friend) Arlene Christ, who had also been a friend of Lorraine's. They enjoyed many good and fun years together, traveling, playing golf and being with family. Arlene has been an integral part of our dad's loving life after the loss of a spouse, and we believe he provided the same for Arlene.

Cletus always had good health until February 2025, when prostate cancer was discovered. He fought it as long as he could with courage, optimism, quiet strength and grace. The family wishes to thank all his medical team at Mayo Clinic, his hospice team at St. Croix, and the staff of Grace Lutheran Communities River Pines for their compassionate support.

Cletus is survived by his daughters Elaine (Larry) Fischer, Karen (Jim) Hasler, and Kelly (Scott) First; 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, September 11 at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Croix Hospice in honor of Cletus Shively.