During Cliff’s early days he lived in McLaughlin, South Dakota on the family farm until they moved into town. He loved his high school days and had many memories of playing basketball all four years. After graduation he came to Nebraska. Here he met Sue and they had four children; Mikeal, Laura, Stacy and Douglas; plus two foster girls – Pam and Sheryl.
Cliff always loved everything related to horses; including riding and driving them. While in Nebraska he learned to rope and fell in love with calf roping. When he couldn’t jump off a running horse any longer he learned to team rope. He was left handed but had to learn to rope right handed so he could get a partner. He also enjoyed team penning and ranch rodeos. There are so many horses who were first handled and ridden by Cliff. To watch him ride was a thing of beauty. He was one with the horse. Now there are many people Cliff helped when they were young. He loved everyone but he had a soft spot for kids. Many people have said he was their second dad.
Cliff and Pat got married in Pioneer Park in Lincoln on September 20, 1986. After the wedding they had a beautiful carriage ride through the park. He inherited two more children with Pat; James and Nancy. Cliff was a great dancer, so the two of them spent many evenings at the local bar dancing the night away. He also loved to travel out-of-state to visit relatives or to go to horse shows. They also went on a trail ride in the mountains of Colorado and recently got to go to Alaska. He loved to braid ropes and made bridles and halters. He became interested in riding and driving mules. He often would ride Sadie and Jessee at one of Salt Creek Wranglers shows or at the Nebraska State Fair. Usually he won the class, even when riding against horses. He always loved that. He held many roping’s at Wranglers with his son, Mike. In later years he mowed the grass and worked up the ground in the arena for the club.
Cliff has cherished all his family and friends so much. He never knew a stranger and never forgot a face. He would help anyone and give you the shirt off his back if he could.
Cliff is survived by his children: Mikeal (Kerry) Herman of Merna, Laura Suellwold of Lincoln, Stacy Knowles of Springfield, OR, Douglas Herman of Omaha, Pam Bennett of Palmyra, Sheryl Phillips of Oklahoma City, James DeVoogd of Lincoln, and Nancy Heermann of Lincoln. His grandchildren and honorary pallbearers are; Kurt Dodge, Kyle Herman, Madelyn Paulsen (Andrew), KC (Montanna) Herman, Luke Suellwold, Nolan Suellwold, Jeremy Knowles, Cory Knowles, Gracie Herman, Kaylie Herman, Jordan DeVoogd, Justin DeVoogd and Hudsen Heermann. A great grandchild; McCoy Paulsen, as well as two sisters; Ruby Merkel of Seattle, WA, and Joan Printy of Cutbank, MT and a brother Larry Herman of Forsyth, MT, plus many other precious in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Let it be said: another good cowboy has gone home. His entry fees were paid.
