MADISON - Clarence Mark Cossette of Madison, Wis., is at peace now. He passed away on April 28, 2023, at the age of 88, due to complications from a fall. Clarence suffered from memory loss for the past five years. Born March 11, 1935, in Fargo N.D., to Gideon and Marion Cossette, he was the youngest of eight children. His siblings were Saul, Leo, Morris, Cecilia, Viola, Ernest, and Rose.

Clarence was a loving involved father who at times worked two jobs and still could stay up and tend to late-night feedings. He is survived by his four children, Wendy Borenstein (Todd), Dean (Amy), Todd (Mary) and Tracey Byers (Denny); and former wife, Marilyn Vargo.

As Clarence watched his family grow, he actively participated in their lives, making many wonderful memories with his eight grandchildren, Nicole, Morgan, Adam, Ryan, Dakota, Dalton, Cole and Lauren. In addition, he had four great-grandchildren, Casen, Beck, Sydney and Desmond.

Clarence loved Football. He played under Sid Cichey on the Shanley High School football team and when he served in the U. S. Army. He continued to follow both college and NFL teams as well as car racing. He went on many fishing trips with his sons and his loyal friends, Lenny and Joe, who affectionately called him "The Frenchman." He shared this passion with his grandsons and took them out with their friends fishing.

Clarence retired from a dedicated 35+ year ground service career at Northwest Airlines where he worked on airplanes. He relocated with his career throughout the Northwest, living in North Dakota, Minnesota, Oregon, Georgia, Montana and Wisconsin. He enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Brazil, Hawaii, Alaska, and Disneyland in California. Later he made frequent trips to visit his grandchildren in Indiana and Missouri.

Clarence was passionate about Mustang cars and owned several. He was at his happiest driving the convertible with the top down on beautiful sunny days. As he was raised on a farm in North Dakota, he was frequently taking road trips to appreciate local small farms throughout Wisconsin. Clarence was an excellent gardener and had a green thumb when it came to his beautiful roses and big plump tomatoes, and he loved sharing them. He was a wizard cook in the kitchen and would share that local grown goodness from weekend breakfasts to holiday feasts at all family gatherings. These were an important part of his life, and he didn't miss any chance to participate and gather his family to celebrate a birthday, holiday, or milestone event, such as weddings or graduations. He was always there supporting his family and will be missed and remembered for his warm beautiful smile and loving twinkling eyes.

A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Special thanks to the staff at the Cottages of Madison for treating Dad as their own father. The UW nurses and doctors that made him comfortable. Also special thanks to Vanice from Comfort Keeper, whom he adored. She gave him a new look with goatee and bangs as well as tamed his fly away hair. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Clarence Cossette

March 11, 1935 - April 28, 2023

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