CAROL M. CLARK
Carol Mae Clark (Weddige, Grattafiori, Hunter), age 78, died peacefully at home in New Glarus, WI, on August 3, 2016, from pancreatic cancer. She was born September 25, 1937, in Aurora, IL, to Paul and Christine Weddige.
Carol believed in faith, friends, and family. Family was everything to her and a "snug" from one of her grandchildren made every day complete. Carol loved the family's annual vacation to Silver Lake in Wautoma, and was always up for a euchre game or a puzzle. Carol looked for and found the good in people. She made friends easily and her beaming smile and humor was infectious. Carol was generous with her time and talents serving as a Girl Scout Leader for not only her children, but grandchildren for many years. She was an almost 40 year lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi. Over the years Carol held multiple offices within her chapter and the area council. Deep and long friendships were made with her "sisters," and these ladies have proven to be tried and true friends. Carol loved Badger football and basketball and was the most enthusiastic fan on the sidelines at any sporting event. She had a deep appreciation for natural beauty and loved her flower gardens and looked forward to the hummingbirds and orioles that would visit each spring and summer to her feeders. Carol was a devoted wife and was married to David Clark and until his death in 2012, they enjoyed many trips together. Carol faced her illness as she faced all of life's challenges - with strength, dignity, class and humor. Her oncologist called her "twisted steel," beautiful, shining and tough. Until her illness in December 2015, Carol was employed at the Duluth Trading Company call center in Belleville, WI.
Carol is survived by her son, Mike (Diane) Grattafiori and grandson Vincent of Deerfield, WI, predeceased by their son's Anthony and Adam. Carol is further survived by daughter, Christy Hunter (Steve Longo) and granddaughters Makayla Kiersten and Lia Longo of New Glarus. Carol is predeceased by her eldest daughter, Cindy Strohmenger of Sun Prairie; but survived by Cindy's children, Paula Gilchrist of Madison and great-granddaughters Sky and Cora Powelka and Cierra and Sophia Gilchrist; Amy (Chad) O'Kroley of Sun Prairie and great-granddaughter Kenzie; and granddaughter Andrea Strohmenger, also included Brian Strohmenger, Amy Latsch and her children. Carol is also survived by her stepdaughter, Kim (Tim) Arndt of DeForest, WI, and their children Meghan (Joe) Touchet, Zach, Allison and Natalie Arndt, and great-grandchildren Toby and Talia Touchet. She was predeceased by her stepdaughter, Debi (Rick) Bronars of McHenry, IL, and survived by Debi's children Carrie (Joe Reitsma) of Minneapolis, MN, and Nathan (Nikki) Bronars and their daughters Chelsea and Caitlin of McHenry, IL. Also surviving Carol is her sister, Pauline (Ed) Mertes of Inverness, IL; and Carol's brother, Dave (Sally) Weddige of Naperville, IL, and their families.
A gathering of relatives and friends was held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 with a time of remembrance at 5:45 p.m. at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 Sixth Avenue, New Glarus, WI.
Following the time of remembrance a celebration of life was held at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at Tofflers Pub and Grill, 200 Fifth Avenue, New Glarus, WI.
Special thanks to Dr. Sam Lubner and the team at the Carbone Cancer Center, and the orange team at Agrace Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be divided between Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. and the Pancreatic Cancer Task Force at UW in hopes to find a cure.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.