Clifford Chester Burau, 94, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. Cliff was born Aug. 9, 1912, in Larson, N.D., the son of Ben and Ida Burau.

He was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and served in the 46th Engineer Construction Battalion during WWII in the South Pacific. Upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to Flaxton, N.D.

In 1945, he married Melba Holte. He worked at various jobs until moving to Columbia Falls in 1964. Cliff was employed with Arrowhead Construction helping to build the Outlaw Inn and the Kalispell Regional Hospital.

He enjoyed gardening and fishing in his spare time. Cliff's favorite spot was Foys Lake with his grandson, Glenn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Ida; a sister, Evelyn Holte and her husband, Benny; and two brothers, Tex and Roy.

Cliff is survived by his wife of 61 years, Melba, in Whitefish; a son, Monte Burau; a daughter, Vickie Ott and her husband, Art; his grandchildren, Glenn Ott and his wife, Sandy, Sara Kentros and her husband, Louis III, and Anglea Berlinger and her husband, Aaron, all of Columbia Falls.

He always had a good sense of humor, which we will all miss.

He wished for no services. He will be cremated at a later date and will be intered at the Montana Veterans Home Cemetery.

Cliff would have liked any memorials to be given to the donor's choice.

Arrangements are with the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.