Clifford Benjamin Digre

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Digre, Clifford Benjamin Clifford Benjamin Digre died November 25, 2012 in Prior Lake at his home with all his children and his wife at his side. Clifford was born on May 26, 1923 in Hendricks Minnesota to Peder and Carrie Digre; he graduated from Hendricks High School. He served as a ball-turret gunner and radio-operator in World War II in England. After the war he met the love of his life, E. Bernice Hoversten and they were married in 1947. After discharge at the end of the war, Clifford returned to Minnesota and attended National Radio School. He founded his first company, Vet's Radio, which was a small shed employing himself and another student - repairing radios. He started Minneapolis Speaker and Reconing Company and later he began manufacturing loud speakers. This led to the establishment of Minneapolis Speaker Company (MISCO). MISCO initially pursued the drive-in theatre market and later branched out to OEM manufacturing of loudspeakers for aerospace, medical equipment and professional audio. Today under the direction of Cliff's son Dan, MISCO serves international markets and is a leading manufacturer of loudspeakers and audio equipment in the United States. Clifford Digre held 3 US patents related to magnetic circuits-all are in use to this day. After semi-retirement from MISCO, he wrote his memories of World War II-"Into Life's School-My World War II memories". (intolifesschool.com) He has presented at air shows, libraries, Wings of the North, and 8th Air Force Round tables in Minneapolis. At his death, he was writing his second book, "The MISCO Story." Cliff Digre was president and board member of ALMA (American Loudspeaker Manufactuing Association), and he served as a board member of the 457th Bomb Group. Cliff was a 50 year member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, and served on the church council. He is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Cliff's proud Norwegian heritage and steadfast Lutheran faith didn't simply influence who he was; they were who he was, with the addition of his own brand of hard work, persistence, curiosity, and appreciation for his family, friends, Bernice's cooking and care, their lake home, music, sports, current events, learning, travel, and the turn of a good phrase that occupied him for his busy and fulfilling 89 years. Cliff and Bernice, his wife of 65 years, lived in the Fulton neighborhood for 47 years where their four children all graduated from Southwest High School. He is preceded in death by his parents father Peder, mother Carrie, Brother Gerhard, sisters Gurine, Clara and Pearl. He is survived by his wife Bernice Hoversten Digre, daughter Kathleen Digre (Michael Varner), Rolland Digre, Daniel Digre (Luz Paz), Carrie Murphy (Chad), grandchildren Johanna and Gita Varner, Peder and Neal Digre, Amy Stepan (D.), Ann Aho (Jeremy), Cali Digre, Jordan and Joshua Murphy, and great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Landon, Karlee Aho, and Sabriel Stepan. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Funeral service 12 Noon Friday, Nov. 30 with visitation one hour prior to the service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave S. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation 5-7 PM Thursday, Nov. 29 at: Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100

Published on November 27, 2012