Tim was preceded in death by son, Shane Timothy Cleven; father, Thomas Arnold Cleven; mother, Doris Ann (Ingbretson) Cleven; brother, Ray Cleven; father-in-law, Hiram J. Sirjord; and sister-in-law, Sandy (O’Connell) Leverett.
Tim is survived by wife, Valli (Leverett) Cleven; daughters, Tamara Cleven-Ward, Tracie (Cleven) Mastley; son-in-law, Christopher Mastley; grandsons, Grayson, Aiden, Emerson, and Lincoln Mastley; granddaughters, Olivia Ward, Adaline Mastley; and former son-in-law, Brett Ward. Tim leaves behind four sisters, Rebecca (Gary) Cooper, Diane Cleven, Patricia (Ken) Morrison, Paula Cleven; three brothers-in-law, Robert Leverett, Andrew (Jean) Sirjord, Stewart (Mindy) Sirjord; dear friends, John and Deb Mastley; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Tim was born in Mayville, North Dakota and grew up in Fargo where he graduated from Fargo Central High School. After high school, Tim enlisted in the Navy and served in Vietnam as a Seabee in the construction arm of the Navy. Tim was proud of being of service to his country and continued his Navy career as a naval reservist. As a reservist, Tim was recalled to active duty status to support Pacific operations during Desert Storm/Shield, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant.
Upon his return from Vietnam, Tim earned his electrician’s license, eventually becoming a union Master electrician, working primarily on commercial projects and power plants in North Dakota and Minnesota. Always eager for new challenges, Tim eventually earned an Electrical Engineering degree from North Dakota State University and worked as an engineer for Lightowler Johnson & Associates in Fargo and KFI Engineers (St. Paul). Tim retired from the profession as an Associate Vice President of HGA Architects and Engineers (Minneapolis), licensed as a Professional Engineer in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Tim was happiest in nature and found his spiritual inspiration there among the quiet moments. In earlier years, he loved deer hunting with his Bensen cousins and the crisp fall air while walking the field. In his retirement years golf replaced hunting and Tim rarely missed the opportunity to hit the green. He considered Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids as his home golf course and enjoyed the camaraderie of many friends he collectively referred to as “the guys.” He was active in the Sr. Men’s League and served on the board for several years. In addition to his golf friends at Bunker, Tim made many friends on the greens in Sun City, Georgetown, TX, where most years he spent the fall months as a “snowbird.”
Aside from his love for golf, in retirement Tim liked serving his community. Over the years he served on advisory boards for the City of Andover and as an election judge for several election cycles.
However, Tim’s true passion was travel. Tim was a dedicated adventurer, a seasoned veteran of many cruises that took him all over the world, culminating in a three-month world cruise, where his most vivid memories, among many, were of becoming a member of a Fiji tribe, seeing the Komodo dragons in the wild on Komodo island, and visiting Jerusalem.
While Tim had many achievements in his life, he was most proud of his family and delighted in knowing the women his daughters are and watching his six grandchildren grow, getting to know each of them as they developed into unique individuals. They completed his life in a way he never anticipated but wonderfully, gratefully embraced.
We will miss him forever. We cherish our time together and delight in celebrating each moment of his remarkable life.
Tim’s Celebration of Life will be at noon on Friday, November 14 at Gearhart Funeral Home 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448. Visitation is 11:00-12:00 prior to the service.
Interment follows at Morningside Memorial Gardens, Coon Rapids.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Tim’s memory to veteran organizations (VFW and American Legion) or to the Minneapolis VA Hospital, for the use of the Hospice Volunteer program, Unit 1D (Dignity).
