Clifton ‘CJ’ Mueske, age 94 of Prescott, passed away on Feb. 23, 2023 surrounded by the love of his children. CJ was born on June 25, 1928 to Orlin and Bernice (Bliem) Mueske. He grew up in Manly, Iowa, a railroad town, and followed his father and older brother in a career working for the Rock Island Railroad – first as a call boy, then a fireman (when a fireman actually shoveled coal in the firebox of a steam engine!), and then finally as an engineer. He and Donna Mayer met on a blind date and quickly fell in love. They married in 1952.
CJ had a love for the fast and exciting, sailing on Clear Lake, racing midget cars at the North Iowa Racetrack, and flying planes out of the Mason City Airport. He and Donna wanted to live in an area where their family could easily enjoy the recreational opportunities afforded by living near the water. When a position became available to work for the Rock Island out of their Twin Cities Office, he jumped at the chance, and in 1963 they moved to Prescott and took full advantage of living by St. Croix River, sailing, houseboating, speedboating, canoeing and fishing at every opportunity.
Cliff worked to live and enjoyed his free time and made the most of it, taking family vacations on the houseboat and sailing on the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers and around the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior for a few weeks every summer. They also took many winter vacations exploring the southwest, California and Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Belize, Jamaica, and Costa Rica after his retirement.
Being a true renaissance man, he took joy in multiple areas of artistic expression, sketching, painting and carving. After moving to Prescott, he created a backyard oasis with tiered limestone walls complete with a 10-foot waterfall, where family and friends would gather on the patio. If you happened by the house you had to be ready for a “knock down drag out” game (or more) of chess. He was able to defeat many capable opponents well into his 90’s! As much as he wanted to be away from working on the railroad, he constructed very elaborate model railroad layouts in his basement in Manly, and in Prescott. When asked why he spent so much of his time “working on the railroad” in the basement, he said “I get to be the boss on this railroad!” It was after all, called the “Image & Nation Line.” But being one of the most inhibited exhibitionists many people have ever met, most of this talent remained unknown unless you knew him.
CJ was a creative, fun-loving, one-of-a-kind, memorable character, and a loving husband and dad.
C.J. is survived by daughters Mari Jackson and Rita Mueske, sons Mark and Rick, daughter-in-law Paula Mueske, grandchildren Angie Petschow, Chris Mueske, Maria Mueske, Isaac Mueske, and Amanda Mueske, great-grandchildren Forrest and Everest Griffiths, Aerowyn and Elijah Mueske.
C.J. was predeceased by his parents, his brother Stan, wife Madonna, son-in-law Troy Jackson, daughter-in-law Carol Ahlgren.
A memorial is being planned for some time early this summer. Graveside service for Clifton Mueske will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Prescott. Memorials may be directed to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 1339 Orrin Road in Prescott 54021.
