A lifelong champion of young people and supporter of his community, Clinton Earl Stille ~ beloved athlete, teacher, sportsman and coach ~ is best known for building a dynamic athletic program at Emmetsburg High School. Remembered by many for his friendly demeanor and optimistic outlook, Clint served as a mentor and friend to hundreds of people throughout his lifetime. He was always ready with a kind word, a hearty laugh and an offer to "go fishing". Clint was a strong advocate of community spirit and fair play. He made it his life's mission to counsel and support young people, encouraging them to live their best lives, to do the right thing, to help others, and to prosper in their chosen fields. He was an active, popular citizen and a jovial, enthusiastic and loyal supporter of his community, its natural resources and its E'Hawk sporting teams for over 55 years. He is considered by many to be Emmetsburg's "original E'Hawk". Clint was born on August 21, 1922, in Garner, Iowa, the firstborn son of Earl and Dena (Greiman) Stille. He grew up in Garner enjoying hunting, fishing, swimming and sports. He began working at a young age and became known, along with his brothers, as one of Garner's finest athletes. Although growing up during the Depression, Clint often said he never realized his family was poor, because his parents always made sure they had the three most important things: food, soap and love. Clint graduated from Garner High School in 1940, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track. He attended Drake University in Des Moines on athletic scholarships and supported himself with several jobs while earning good grades and eight letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. He is a member of Drake's prestigious 1940 ~ 1950 All-Decade Football Team. In 1942, Clint left school to enlist in the U.S. Navy in support of the United States efforts in World War II. He trained at Columbia University and was chosen to serve as a drill instructor at Princeton University. On March 1, 1944, Clint married his hometown sweetheart and the love of his life, Jeanne Marian Ziesmer. Clint served on the staff at Princeton for one year, and then declined their offer to stay in order to serve on an attack transport in the South Pacific. Lt. JG Stille served on the U.S.S. Bowie until the war's end. He then returned to Drake, graduating in 1947 with a B.S. in Science and a minor in Physical Education. He also completed graduate work at Drake. Clint's career as an educator spanned 38 years. He accepted his first job teaching physics and physical education in Mapleton, Iowa, where he coached four sports and won the conference football championship. He then coached football and basketball and taught social studies in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He joined Emmetsburg Community Schools in 1952 as head football and track coach, assistant basketball coach and physical education instructor. Four years later, he added responsibilities as athletic director, a position he excelled in for 28 years. Clint dedicated much of his life to enhancing the Emmetsburg school system, its athletic program and facilities. Of special significance to Clint were the many years he spent teaching elementary students. He also enjoyed working with young people during the summers at the Chic-Tok Drive-in. Of the many honors Clint received throughout his lifetime, especially notable are: Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame; Northwest Iowa Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame; Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame; Athletic Director of the Year, 1980-'81 and 1984-'85; first recipient of Charles Hughes Citizen of the Year Award, 1985; President of Iowa High School Athletic Directors, 1982-'83; and the Jerry Golden Memorial Award, 1979. Upon his retirement in 1985, his fellow athletic directors in Iowa presented him with a plaque saying: "Clinton Stille ~ who could forget his approach to a controversial issue, his constant concern for the kids, his love of an athletic contest, his love of the great outdoors, his love for the E'Hawks, and his ability to fall asleep while playing cards?" Clint was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, serving as the congregation's president and an elder. Throughout the years, he held numerous volunteer positions with Pheasant's Forever, Ducks Unlimited and other community groups. Greater than Clint's many accomplishments was his love and dedication to his family. He is survived by Jeanne, his wife of 63 years; his children, Lory Sutton and her husband, Richard, of Edina, Minnesota, and Bruce Stille and his wife, Corrine, of Northfield, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Paul Clinton Sutton, Kathryn Jeanne Sutton, Thomas Richard Sutton, Kyle Bruce Stille and Kirsten Cae Stille; two brothers, Russel Stille (Emily), of Webster, Wisconsin, and Arvil Stille (Sandra), of Garner, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

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