Condolences for

It is with heavy heart that I send this condolence. Clarence was a dear friend to me and to our turkey hunting group. We met on a spring day about 19 years ago. My nephew David and I were driving around looking for a place to hunt turkeys. We had asked a few other farmers but they would not grant permission. We turned on this road and seen turkeys in the fields. Before we knew it we were on a dead end and in Clarence's yard. David said well were here we might as well ask if we could hunt. That conversation started a long friendship. He gave us permission. At first it sounded like he hated turkeys because they ate his silage but it didn't take long to realize he was fond of them and loved to bang on a pan to make them gobble. He also looked forward to the different groups that came to hunt them in the spring. He loved visiting with all of us. Over the years we had many successful hunts but more than that we got to know Clarence and his neighbors and friends. Our Wisconsin trip wasn't just about turkeys it was a chance to visit about farming, his stories about being a baker in the army and he loved to talk politics. We would bring down fish for him to eat and a desert. One year he made us some cookies he had made out of some of the nuts off his farm. He had to tell us the correct way to eat a cookie. He said most people eat them so fast they do not even taste them. You need to nibble them he said. The cookies were delicious and I tried hard to just nibble them but I am one of those people who gobbles cookies fast but when I do I think of Clarence and the correct way. Clarence also had a guard goose when we first met. That goose did not like David and everytime we came the goose would high tail it across the bridge to peck at David's legs. David was not too upset when we came one spring to learn the goose was gone. He had gotten accidently run over by the neighbor, Kurt, and Clarence was so mad he made Kurt clean him. There are so many stories I could tell but I am sure everyone that knew Clarence has similar tales. We will continue our annual Wisconsin turkey hunting trip as through Clarence we have gotten to know Troy Strittmater and his family. We will miss Clarence but know his memory and all the knowledge he shared with us will live forever. I wish I could pay my respects in person but I also raise livestock and we are having calves and lambs so it is not possible to get away. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Clarence Take care, Wendy Burgstaler Along with David, Carrie and Ed Burgstaler and Larry Carlson. Thanks for all the memories.

Clarence, you will be so missed, my friend. We lived down the road from Clarence for almost 15 years. He became more than a neighbor to me and my 3 kids. Clarence taught me so many things, especially not to believe everything people tell you. He lived the way he wanted to, very simple yet very content. He always thought he had all the time in the world to get his projects done. I remember one winter I mentioned that I'd like to come and do some spring cleaning in his kitchen. If you've ever been in his kitchen.....well, he had it organized the way he liked it. He told me that I shouldn't bother with cleaning because he was going to remodel in spring. He just didn't want me to touch anything. And in that kitchen was where he baked his famous lazy daizy cakes and hickory nut cookies. Whenever my kids or myself had birthdays you could be sure Clarence would stop by with those crispy, buttery cookies. What a treat. He taught me the right way to blanch and freeze corn, make tomato soup and pie crust. I know I will never master it the way he did. He gave the best hugs and whisker rubs ever! Praying I will see him again in Heaven. Rest in peace and enjoy your new body and home, Clarence. Love you, Karen, Robby, Holly and Timmy

Uncle Clarence was a one of a kind. There was no such thing as a short visit to Clarence's home. He was sharp as a tac up to the very end and always had the coffee pot on. He would say he only drank coffe when he was alone or with somebody. I'm going to miss our talks as he will be sadly missed. RIP Clarence, sorry you didn't get to do the freedom flight rest well.

A wonderful man with so much to share. I enjoyed the time I was allowed to spend with him. I'll miss his saying: "Over worked, under paid and over taxed."