John E. Clarke

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John's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Monday, August 11, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

MONONA - John E. Clarke, age 91, of Monona, passed away on Friday, August 1, 2025, at his home. He was born on June 9, 1934, in St. Paul, MN, the son of J. Edmund and Margaret Louise (Fahey) Clarke.

John grew up in Wausau, WI with his three siblings, Richard, Mary Jane, and Margaret. He graduated from Marquette University in 1956 and then served two years in the United States Army at Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Colorado Springs, CO. John returned home to Wisconsin, graduating from Marquette University Law School in the early 1960’s. He worked as an attorney in New Richmond, WI, then as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. It was here that he met one of his best lifelong friends, Joel Friedman. John finished out his storied career as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Wisconsin, retiring in 2003.

John was an avid bicyclist, skier and traveler, spending years of his leisure time with the Skilaufers, a Madison outdoor recreational club. He took many long biking and camping trips throughout Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as through Germany, France, Spain and Italy, where he enjoyed the cultures and foods of each country. John skied in the West, in Canada, in Europe and South America. He also skied annually in Northern Wisconsin with the “Prairie Boys.” John met a very special woman, Ruth Wagner, at an East Side Club/Skilaufers social event. Her family soon became his family. Ruth and John traveled extensively, visiting Cuba, Patagonia and taking countless numbers of Theater Bus trips together.

John loved reading, geology, history, and a good political discussion. He liked to keep up with the world by listening to Wisconsin Public Radio and reading the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He could often be seen jaywalking across Monona Drive to buy his morning papers at Walgreens. John was a decades-long season ticket holder to Badger Football and Women’s Basketball games. He always went with a group of close friends which often included his cousin, Jim Lynch.

John was a proud past president of the East Side Club. The Monona Senior Center and the East Side Club often seemed like second homes to him. He supported the Dane County Historical Society and so enjoyed his affiliation with American Legion Post 501. These, along with the Skilaufers, were groups that meant the world to John. The friendships that he made along the way, endured for a lifetime. John was an extremely generous person, giving to many different charities, organizations and institutions. As an awesome example, he donated a remarkable THIRTY gallons of blood to the Dane County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

John regularly attended Mass and participated in weekly Adoration of the Holy Eucharist at Mary Morning Star Chapel. He devotedly prayed for his family and friends, and was known to “show up” for those who might need him. He faithfully visited and called his dear friend Ruth, and kept in touch with his sister Margaret, in San Francisco. In the past few years, he and Margaret were able to see each other through FaceTime which opened up a new world for them as they were no longer able to travel. John loved to go home to Wausau to attend class reunions. He was always a good listener, if not much of a talker.

Through all that John accomplished and everywhere that he traveled, he was sustained by his Catholic Faith, his family and his friends. John’s cousins, Kathy and Jayne, wish to thank the friends who made his life abundantly rich. Though there are too many to list, we especially acknowledge Diane, Margie, and Mary for their care and concern for John, and of course, Ruth and Joel. May you and all others be richly rewarded for your kindness.

Perhaps Charles Darwin said it best: “A man’s friendships are one of the best measures of his worth.” If this is the case, then John’s worth is beyond measure. “We will love you always and miss you forever. See you down the road, JC.”

John is survived by his sister, Margaret Clarke; cousins, Kathy (Leslie Knobloch (deceased)) Lynch, Jayne (Victor) Long, Kelley  (Eric Hannah (deceased)) Burg, Brian Fahey, Michael Fahey, Ann Fahey, Thomas (Karen) Fahey, Timothy (Pauline) Fahey, Mary (Larry Richter) Fahey, John (Janet) Fahey, and David (Leone) Fahey; Ruth Wagner and her family; and many beloved friends.

He is preceded in death by parents, J. Edmund and Margaret Louise Clarke; brother, Richard Clarke; and sister, Mary Jane Clarke.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025, with Father Mark Foley presiding, followed by Military Honors and a luncheon. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday. Burial will be held at St. Brendan’s Catholic Cemetery, Green Isle, MN, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, and if you want to, please give to an organization or institution that meant something special to John, or one that means something special to you. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420