Obituaries
Clifton Clausen
June 27, 1930 - January 03, 2017
Obituary For Clifton Clausen
Waunakee, WI
In the late hours of January 2, 2017, a kind-hearted, fun-loving, mechanically-gifted, businessman quietly slipped away from us..… another victim of the deadly ravages of dementia. To the end, his smile could light up an entire room.
He leaves behind a deeply grieving family: Luella, his wife of 65 years; daughters, Tanya Clausen, Kim (Jeff) Lange, Toni Ripp and son Dell Downer; granddaughters, Jade & Nikki Ripp, Denise, Bobbi Jo, and Raquel Downer, sister-in-law Joey Cleberg; nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Flora and Clifton Clausen, Sr.; siblings, Marvel Scott, Lucille Sayen, Robert Clausen; daughter, Dawn Clausen; son-in-law, David Ripp; daughter-in-law, Linda Downer; sister-in-law, Hazel Redman; brother-in-law, Harvey Cleberg; father-in-law, Henry Cleberg.
Clif was born on June 27, 1930 in Upper Michigan. He began his career in the logging industry and after moving to Madison, worked in trucking with Oscar Mayers. In 1965, Clif and Lou bought the Thunderbird Supper Club in DeForest where he became well-known for his Old Fashioneds. That career would last 35 years and lead to many wonderful friendships.
Thank you to the staff of Columbia Health Care Center for all your gentle care of Dad when we were no longer capable. You know who you are and our appreciation is immense. Thank you to Agrace HospiceCare, Baraboo, without whom this journey would have been so much harder. And, a special thank you to our dear friends, Mary Jo and Roger Reentz, for always “being there” even to the end.
A visitation-reception will be at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest on January 11th from 3- 6 pm. Goodbye to a man who always told us “I measure my life by the number of laughs I’ve had and I’ve had a lot of them”. Thanks, Daddy, for all the fun and laughs. Your girls love you so much.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home
& Cremation Services
Windsor/DeForest Chapel
6024 Lake Road
608-846-4250
Photos & Video
Add New Photos & Video
Condolences
Useful Links
Add Your Useful Link
Contact Us to have your link and message added here.
Please fill out the form below. We will contact suitable submissions with further details.
Follow Us
Get in Touch
what our families say
Madison North East
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
Tel: 608-249-8257
Madison West
5701 Odana Road
Madison, WI 53719
Tel: 608-274-1000
Verona
220 S. Enterprise Drive
Verona, WI 53593
Tel: 608-845-6625
DeForest / Windsor
6924 Lake Road
DeForest, WI 53532
Tel: 608-846-4250