Carl Clemens

Carl Clemens, age 95, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Aspirus Riverview Hospital, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Carl was born during a snowstorm in Wonewoc, Wisconsin on April 8, 1927 to Carl H. and Anna S. (Olson) Clemens. He married Mildred M. Gesicki on August 5th, 1961 at All Saints Catholic Church in Babcock, Wisconsin.
A funeral service is planned for Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11 am at Feldner/Ritchay Funeral Home (615 1st St, Nekoosa) with Deacon Mark Quayhackx officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 – 11 am at the Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will take place at a later date at Babcock Cemetery.
Carl was always a hard worker and at the age of 12 he started delivering newspapers in Nekoosa. On December 7, 1941 he delivered the afternoon special edition paper with the news of the Pearl Harbor attack. While a senior at Nekoosa Alexander High School he joined the US Army, graduating in 1945. Carl was sent to Europe to serve in World War II and was stationed in Germany from 1945 to 1947. In 1961 Staff Sergeant Carl Clemens' Wisconsin National Guard 32nd "Red Arrows" Division, was called to Fort Lewis, Washington during the Berlin Crisis.
He was a marksman & shot competitively for the Army National Guard. He was a member of the 12-man Wisconsin National Guard Rifle Team that competed at the 1964 National Rifle Championships at Camp Perry, Ohio.
After returning home from Europe at the end of WW2, he worked for Nekoosa Papers (NEPCO) and then BASF Wyandotte (presently ERCO Worldwide), Port Edwards from its startup. He retired from then Vulcan Chemicals (ERCO) in 1989 as Chief Operator in the Operations Department. After retirement he joined the Nekoosa Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Carl was generous & practical: always leaving big tips; ensured his children had more than they needed; delivered meals for Riverview Hospital's Home Delivered Meals Program; and donated money to needy organizations, which included the local Humane Society. Carl was a woodsman and stayed active. He spent a lot of time in the woods, walking, hunting, fishing, bird watching, and cutting firewood. He carried his last piece of firewood on his 4-wheeled walker two weeks before he passed away. He shot many bucks with his pre 1964 Winchester Model 70 rifles. He owned many dogs over his lifetime. In his younger years he rode Harley Davidson motorcycles. He was also an avid reader & gardener. He loved going "Up North", taking family on many hunting, hiking, & fishing trips. He also loved to travel out west. He devoted countless hours to coaching his son's baseball teams & traveling to games. Baseball was his number one passion. Carl followed the Packers & Brewers, along with Badger Basketball & Football. He loved family gatherings, and going out to eat.
Carl is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Millie; along with children: Catherine Truchinski of Wisconsin Rapids; Nicholas Clemens of Merrimac; Susan Clemens-Dlugopolski (Steven Dlugopolski) of Wisconsin Rapids; Joseph Clemens of Iola; & Luke Clemens of Nekoosa. He is also survived by grandchildren Anna Truchinski, James Truchinski (Eve), & Alex Clemens (Shayla Hackett); along with one step grandson Taylor Dlugopolski. He has one great-grandchild – Maddison D. Clemens. Carl is also survived by in-laws Raymond Gesicki, Patricia Sherwin, Linda Gindt, & William Gesicki (Cindy). He is further survived by two special nephews -- Gary Sonnenberg (Lisa) & John Sonnenberg (Linda); along with other nieces & nephews.
Preceding him in death was his twin brother James/"Jimmie" in 1938; his father Carl in 1945; his sister Arvilla/"Willie" Sonnenberg in 1952; brother Samuel/"Jack" to a tragic mill accident in 1958; mother Anna in 1977; & brother Charles/"Bob" in 1981.
"We will always love you & we will always miss you. We will never forget you. You were one in a million & it was a privilege to call you husband, father, uncle, grandfather, or friend."
The Clemens family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to the second floor nursing staff and Case Manager Amber that took such wonderful care of him at Aspirus Riverview Hospital.