Cliff Rule

(From White Funeral Home)

Clifford Marvin Rule, age 91, of Golden, Missouri, passed away peacefully in his home on March 17, 2026. He was born on August 7, 1934, in Togo, Minnesota.

Cliff grew up in Bovey, Minnesota, and even as a child he demonstrated an aptitude for all things mechanical. This innate ability was evident throughout his life whether he was building/repairing things, helping/teaching others, or at work.

Cliff graduated from Greenway High School in 1953. He entered the army in September, 1954, and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. In May of 1956, he received a hardship discharge due to his father’s death, returning home to support his family. In 1958, Cliff married the love of his life and together they raised three daughters and one son.

Before beginning his career at 3M, Cliff worked at a variety of jobs, including running a saw mill, welding/maintenance of heavy equipment for the mines and a construction company. In July of 1964, Cliff began working for 3M in St. Paul as a millwright and later as a maintenance foreman. In July of 1972, he began working at Chemolite (Cottage Grove) as a maintenance supervisor. In the fall of 1978, he began working at the Nevada, Missouri, plant as the plant engineer. In 1992, Cliff was honored with The Pyramid of Excellence Award for outstanding 3M administrative achievement. During his last year at 3M, Cliff and his wife spent six months in Asia, visiting five different countries, on a special assignment for International Plant Engineering. Cliff retired from 3M in 1995.

Throughout Cliff’s time in the military and his career, he was frequently commended for his adaptability and inventiveness when conquering current problems and anticipating future issues; as well as his initiative and effort.

After retirement, Cliff and Vira built a house on Table Rock Lake in Golden, Missouri. These years were filled with restoring a tractor; church activities; spending time with family and friends, fishing, swimming, playing cribbage and games.

Cliff loved the time he spent fishing and shared this passion with friends and colleagues; youth groups; his children, grandchildren and their friends by organizing trips to Canada and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every year. 

 

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Thelma; and brother, Neil.

Cliff is survived by his loving wife of 67 years; his four children: Bonnie Jo (Mark Herron), Nancy (Bill Jones), Pearl (Jeff Brewer) and Kevin; his six grandchildren: Jonathan, Christina, Christopher, Michael, Natalie, Stephen; his three great grandchildren: Sariah, Charlie, Hudson; and his faithful cats.

He is also survived by his brothers Keith and Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Tunnel to Towers.

Arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory.