Richard “Dick” Clemitson, age 87, of Emmetsburg passed away on April 12, 2026, at the Emmetsburg Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday April 25th at Grace Church in Emmetsburg. Visitation will be 4:00 – 6:30 pm Friday April 24th at Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery with military rites conducted by the U.S. Air Force and the Emmetsburg VFW. Dick’s services will be Live Streamed.
Richard Jerome Clemitson, the son of Ervin and Esther (Swanson) Clemitson, was born on March 11, 1939, in Estherville, Iowa. Dick attended schools until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1957. Dick married Ardyth Long and was later divorced, he then married Joemae B. Cox and was later divorced. On March 24, 1991, Dick was united in marriage with Rosie (Noll) Bergstrom at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.
Dick started driving truck when he was discharged from the Air Force in 1961 and never fully retired. He loved his job, traveling all over the United States and meeting many people along the way. He was committed to being on time and took pride in how he operated. Dick drove over 6 million miles over the last 64 years!
Dick loved his family deeply, especially his grandchildren. He always made sure there were cookies ready for them and never turned down a chance to go for a “drive.” He even had the patience to teach a few of them how to drive. Along with spoiling his grandchildren, Dick also spoiled his dogs and cats, always making sure they were well cared for. He was a man who could talk to anyone. Dick was quick-witted, kind-hearted, and always willing to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed watching Western movies and spending time with his coffee crew, “blowing smoke,” as he would say, and sharing stories and laughter that made everyone’s day brighter. Dick will be remembered as someone who was always fun to be around and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish Dick’s memory is his wife of 35 years, Rosie; children, Jeen Clemitson of Henderson, NV, Robert “Rob” (Susan) Bergstrom of Fort Madison, Randall “Randy” Bergstrom of Emmetsburg, Regina (Jeff) Perlow of Cave Creek, AZ, Rodney “Dude” (Marci) Bergstrom of Boyden and Renae (James Van Zee) Reed of Scottsdale, AZ; 14 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and a brother, Dale (LaVone) Clemitson of Sioux City. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Richard “Rick” and Russell “Russ” Bergstrom; a sister, Janice (Clemitson) Naig; and a brother-in-law, Gaylord Naig.
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