Leo Varnham Clark

Leo Varnham Clark, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 31, 2025, with his devoted and loving wife of 30 years by his side.
Leo was born April 8, 1943, in Madison, Wisconsin to Lester and Helen (Kopan) Clark. Leo grew up in Lodi, Wisconsin, and was active in the Boy Scouts and took piano lessons. When his music teacher felt he had advanced beyond her teaching ability, Leo's family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where he continued to pursue his musical studies. Leo graduated from Madison Central High in May 1961and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison between 1961 and 1965, studying music and psychology.
In 1965, Leo enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard as a traditional guardsman (part-time) and in 1981, entered full-time active duty with the Air Force – Air National Guard, working at Hardwood Range and later Volk Field in Wisconsin, until his retirement on February 29, 2000. Leo's talent and love of music was ever present in his life. In the 1970s, he opened the Metropolitan Conservatory of the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin where he and his staff taught music. He was also the piano player for the American Jazz Express, which performed at weddings and supper clubs all around Wisconsin. After his retirement from the military, Leo worked for WRJC as a radio news reporter, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Aeronautics, and finally the Veterans Administration. Leo then attended the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, graduating with a degree in History and a minor in Public History in May 2006. He was a volunteer at the National Guard Museum for many years.
Leo's marriage on October 15, 1966, to Priscilla Gerber was annulled in 1970. Leo married Tara Auringer on August 23, 1974, and later divorced on March 30, 1989. In March 1995, Leo met the love of life, Ann Marie Roberts, at Target Bluff Supper Club in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. They were married November 4, 1995, at the Volk Field Chapel, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. During their marriage, they were active members of the Camp Douglas United Methodist Church, enjoyed traveling, playing golf and cribbage, and simply being together. They shared a selfless love and devotion to each other and cherished every moment they could. During their 30 years of marriage, there was never a day when they did not express how much they loved each other.
Leo had a vibrant personality and a youthful spirit. He had a contagious love of life, music, and fun. He loved spontaneous road trips, concerts and theater, and reading about military history. He was an avid enthusiast of anything aviation related and took Ann to every airplane museum he could find. He was particularly thrilled to fly in an F-16 fighter jet prior to his retirement. He and Ann's dream home was coincidentally built beneath the flight path between the Volk Field runway and the Fort McCoy airport. They watched countless military aircraft fly overhead every year while listening to the sound of freedom. Leo was proud to be a Freemason like his father. He was a member of the Camp Douglas Masonic Lodge and was a Past Master. He held dual memberships in the Tomah and Camp Douglas Masonic Lodges.
Leo loved people. Everywhere he went he knew someone or was soon lifelong friends with new acquaintances. He had a generous and kind spirit that made it easy to love him and impossible not to share in his joy for life. He was truly one of a kind and his impact on others will be long-lasting.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ann, mother-in-law Carolyn Roberts, sisters-in-law Elizabeth Clark and Lori Roberts, brother-in-law Patrick McGarry, nieces Pamela (Robert) Haley and Carleen (Richard) Dolack, nephews Scott (Dawn) Clark, and Lawrence Meister, Joseph (Haley Vollmer) Roberts, in addition to many other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Duane, Robert, William, Rueben, and sister Mary.
A Celebration of Leo's Life will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Janet Sterken will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Oakdale cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Camp Douglas Masonic Lodge for scholarships, Wisconsin Historical Society, Monroe County Local History Room and Museum in Sparta, WI, Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter, or Neighbor for Neighbor Food Pantry.