Clifford Borsch

Clifford Adam Borsch of LeGrand, Iowa, passed away on March 13, 2025, at Iowa River Hospice surrounded by his loving family.

Born on December 16, 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Arnold and Minnie (Clark) Borsch, Cliff graduated from St. Croix Lutheran School in 1967. He served in the United States Marine Corps beginning in 1968, attaining the rank of Corporal E-4, and spent two years in the Marine Corps Reserve while stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. He remained deeply proud of his military service throughout his life.

On January 12, 1978, Cliff married Linda McAnulty, blending their families in a union that included his children Denise, John, and Jason, and her son Joel. In 1980, they welcomed their daughter Andi. Cliff devoted his career to law enforcement, serving with the Marshalltown Police Department and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. He later retired from the City of LeGrand in 2004 after serving as Chief of Police, maintenance director, water pollution operator, dog-catcher, and emergency vehicle starter. In retirement, he continued working at the Central Iowa Juvenile Detention Center and Central Iowa Residential Services Inc., while also proudly serving on the LeGrand Volunteer Fire Department.

Cliff was a man of quiet and confident faith, unflappable and fearless. He would do anything for anyone, and when he began a sentence with “Well, put it this way,” those around him knew to listen closely. Above all, he loved his family unconditionally. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda, of LeGrand; his children Denise Smoldt and her children Hunter and Sophie Smoldt of LeGrand; Jason (Amanda) Johnston and their children Sara Remster, Jason Johnston Jr., Hadley Johnston, and Kennedy Johnston of LeGrand; Andi (Nick) Bucklin and their son Elliott Bucklin of Pleasant Hill; and Joel (Tammy) McAnulty and their children DJ Norem, Jordan McAnulty, and Rachael McAnulty of Marshalltown, along with granddaughter Anistyn Borsch of Marshalltown. He held a special place in his heart for his 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Trena (Bruce) Boucher of Minneapolis. Cliff was preceded in death by his sons Brian and John, and by his parents Minnie and Arnold.