Clarence W. Heckel

Clarence W. Heckel, age 96, died Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at the Dunn County Health Care Center in Menomonie.

He was born Nov. 23, 1908, in Ellsworth to John Steven and Clara (Backus) Heckel. He was baptized at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth in January of 1909. The family moved from Ellsworth to a farm at the existing intersection of county roads E and W on the northwest corner of Springfield Township, St. Croix County. Clarence attended Broadview Country School in Springfield Township.

He married Hazel Kegan on Feb. 9, 1935, at St. John's Catholic Church in Glenwood City. They first lived with his parents, then moved to a farm near Eau Claire where they rented. They milked their own cows, bottled the milk, and delivered it.

They bought their existing farm, located two miles west of Boyceville, in 1942, where they milked cows and raised honey bees and strawberries. They were the first in this area to have people come in and "pick and pay." People came from as far away as the Twin Cities and Eau Claire. Clarence and Hazel also managed and operated the Gedney Pickle Factory in Boyceville for 14 years.

Clarence was an avid wood craftsman for many years. He sold a lot of woodcrafts in the local area and at craft shows in the surrounding towns as well as the Twin Cities. He loved dancing with Hazel, fishing and bird watching. Clarence attended local Catholic churches all his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Heckel; one sister, Josephine; one brother, Paul; and his wife, Hazel.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Funeral services were Saturday, March 5, 2005, at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie with the Rev. Jerry Hoeser officiating. Interment was in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Menomonie.

Memorials are preferred to the Greater Menomonie Area Community Foundation.

Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie handled arrangements.