Clarence W. Towle

Clarence W. Towle, 93, Tomahawk, passed away on March 27. Clarence was born Sept. 21, 1930 in Wausau, Wis. He was son of Clarence G. and Irma (Volkman) Towle. He was married to Marie Kasten on July 11, 1953. She preceded him in death on Feb. 19, 2017.

Surviving are his five children: Ann (Wayne) Koskey, North Aurora, Ill.; Dan (Chris) Towle, Tomahawk; Dona (Greg-deceased) Gerwig, Westerville, Ohio; Mike Towle, North Aurora, Ill.; Bill (Kelly) Towle, West Bend, Wis. He also has 16 grandchildren, one of whom is deceased (Amelia), 25 great-grandchildren (soon to be 26), and one great-great-grandchild.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Korean War. He was a firefighter for eight years in Wausau. He later retired from Wausau Supply Company where he started as a truck driver and later became a salesman. He truly enjoyed his work there because of his friendly and outgoing personality. He loved telling stories of his life experiences. Clarence loved gardening, bee keeping, was an avid reader, loved camping with his family, and was a lover of cookies and ice cream. He was an excellent woodworker. His children, grandchildren and friends were the recipients of many of his labors of love. Clarence and Marie traveled to many parts of the world, many times traveling with their English friends Bill and Beryl. In later years they bought a home in a 55+ retirement community in Weslaco, Tex., where they wintered every year. While wintering in South Texas he coordinated and helped build houses and feed the homeless in Mexico. He also did a lot of work at the birthing center in Weslaco. He has spent his last five years with his friend and companion, Eileen Bushar. They very much enjoyed coming to Texas for the winter. The family wants to give a special thanks to the staff at the Rhinelander Aspirus Hospital who cared for Clarence. They were kind, compassionate and loving.

His life will be celebrated on June 7 at Krueger-Nimsgern Funeral Home in Tomahawk. There will be a visitation from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a vigil service to follow. On June 8 there will be visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Harrison, with a funeral Mass to follow, officiated by Fr. Louis Maram Reddy, at 11 a.m. This will be followed by the burial at the cemetery, and a luncheon in the church basement.

Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.nimsgernfuneral.com. Krueger-Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.