STOUGHTON - Clair Lien, age 87, of Stoughton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at Azura Memory Care in Stoughton. He was born on July 28, 1936, at St. Clair Hospital in Monroe, Wis., to Marie Henning. He was raised by his grandparents, Andrew and Elise Lien on the family farm near Blanchardville.

Clair graduated from Blanchardville High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completed his basic training at Great Lakes, Ill. He was then assigned to the ship, USS Everglades in Norfolk, Va., and spent two years on active duty. He was employed at various lumber yards as a building materials estimator. He retired from Stoughton Lumber in 2005. Clair was an avid golfer and woodworker, making many pieces of furniture for his family. He was also a member of the Stoughton Country Club for over 40 years.

Clair is survived by his wife of 39 years, JoAnn; daughters, Shelly Hayes, Sherry (Mark) Sheskey, Jeff C. (Sonia), Debbie (Ed) Clark, Jeff S., and Lisa (John) Gordon; stepsons, Brian and Mike (Carrie) Lysne; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his half-sister, Linda (Kevin) Henning; half-brothers, Phil (Karri) Henning, Steve (Linda) Henning and Brian Henning; sister-aunt, Alice Voegli; and sister-in-law, Barb Lien.

He was preceded in death by his mother, grandparents, aunts and uncles who he was raised with and always considered them brothers and sisters, Ardell Lien, Ole Lien, Gudren Kundert, Gunvar Haesler, Inga Hanson, Ruth Stillman and Olga Ommodt.

A memorial service will be held at COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1525 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, with the Rev. Wendy Moen presiding. Burial will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St., Stoughton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

The family would like to thank the staff at Azura Memory Care for making Clair and our family feel like family and for the care and love they showed Clair. Also, a special thank you to Bernadette from Agrace HospiceCare for her special care of Clair.

Clair was a special person who was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He was a true gentleman.

Memorials may be gifted in Clair’s name to Covenant Lutheran Church in Stoughton, Stoughton Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County or Agrace HospiceCare.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590

Clair L. Lien

July 28, 1936 - October 25, 2023

Share photos of Clair