MONDOVI, WI (April 17, 2015) – Covenant minister Clifford Eugene Biel died Sunday, April 12. He was 78.

He was born on May 29, 1936, in Wykoff, Minnesota, to Harvey and Mary Biel. He was only 13 years old when he taught the adult Sunday-school class at the Lutheran church he attended. He was the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor of English degree from St. Olaf in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1958, and graduating from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1962.

He married Donna Gislason on August 20, 1960. They served as missionaries to Brazil with the Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1962 to 1980.

They returned to Wisconsin, where Clifford served two Lutheran churches. In 1984, he joined the Evangelical Covenant Church and founded the Prince of Peace Covenant Church, where he served as pastor until his retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; daughters Rachel and Helen; and son Charles.

Visitation will be at Talbot Family Funeral Home, 679 Hehli Way, in Mondovi from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, April 27, at Prince of Peace Covenant Church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, followed by interment.