Clarice Gierke

Clarice Gierke, age 91, passed away on November 1, 2024 at ThedaCare Hospital in Appleton after an apparent stroke. Clarice was born February 6, 1933, the first of nine girls born to the late Irene (Seichter) and Joseph Beumler. She grew up on the family farm just east of Kiel, Wisconsin and attended school at SS. Peter and Paul before graduating from Kiel High School in 1951. Just a few days after her high school graduation, she headed to Chicago where she studied nursing at Michael Reese and St. Vincent’s hospitals, specializing in pediatrics.

In February of 1954, Clarice married William (Bill) Gierke and they lived in Madison, Freeport, Illinois, and Stevens Point before settling in Menasha, where they raised their four boys. She was an excellent cook and a great mom, always encouraging and supporting her kids and attending so many of their activities and athletic events. She loved planning and cooking for family activities and camping trips and she enjoyed the many pets the family had including the many animals her kids dragged home, whether they were cute, furry, slimy, or scaly. A few babysitters didn’t appreciate the snakes, but they didn’t bother mom. She was active in Boys Sports (now Youth Sports) in Menasha for many years, dating back to when it was originally organized and built.

When her sons got a little older, Clarice worked at a few jobs, her favorites being Germania Society and Tuk-Cher’s shoe store in Menasha. She also worked for a few families in the area as a nanny, helping take care of young kids. Even after having eight younger sisters, working as a pediatric nurse, and raising her own four boys, she never lost her love of children. Since 2007, Clarice lived at Ridgeview Highlands in Appleton where she enjoyed many of her neighbors.

Clarice is survived by her sons: Carl, Bill (Suzanne), Jon, and Paul. Sisters: JoAnn Kirk, Millie Vogel, Janet Meek, Marilyn Lemoine, Eileen (Mike) Gerrity, and Paulette (Mike) Baus. Grandchildren: Maryelise, Caroline, Claire, Samantha, and Carson. Great Grandchildren: George, Grace, and William. She was preceded in death by her sisters Elva Thornton and Corine Winkel, and by her former husband Bill.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at St. Pius X Church, 500 W. Marquette Street, Appleton, with Father Jim Jugenheimer officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Following the mass, a reception will be held at Ridgeview Highlands Community Room, 640 Ridgeview Circle (Bldg.1) in Appleton with lunch provided. In lieu of donations to the family, please make a donation to your favorite charity. Thank you to the staff and caregivers at ThedaCare who kept Clarice comfortable during her final days.