Cletus James "Clete" O'Donnell

Cletus (Clete) O'Donnell passed away on the evening of Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Born in DeKalb, Illinois in 1941, he grew up on the family's dairy farm, the youngest of Thomas and Luella O'Donnell's seven children.

Clete served his country in Vietnam as a Spec 4 with the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division. He married his high school sweetheart, Dona Thyberg, and together they built a life together, raising two boys, Thomas (Tom) and Daniel (Dan). Clete also built his own business, O'Donnell's Windows and Doors, which he was very proud of.  

In retirement, Clete and Dona moved to Madison to be closer to their grandchildren, Lilian and Grady. They took every chance they had to cheer them on at their games and events. But they also took off before it got too cold in Wisconsin and enjoyed their 21 winters in Arizona.  

Clete loved golf, a good hand of poker, and trips to the casino. In his younger years, he enjoyed fast, sporty cars. He had a big laugh, saved for the things he thought earned it, and a mischievous streak that meant you never quite knew what he'd say or do next. He never met a piece of seafood he didn't like. He'd dig an oyster out of its shell, work a lobster tail down to the last bite, and he especially loved when his son Tom shipped him fresh crab straight from the Pacific. He also had a soft spot for a diner breakfast, especially the ones he shared with his son Dan, the two of them talking the way only a father and son who'd both worked with their hands could.

Clete wasn't a sentimental man by nature, but about a decade ago he surprised Dona with a vow renewal for their 50th wedding anniversary, working with the pastor in secret to bring her up to the altar, restate his devotion to her, and kiss his beautiful bride to once again seal their union. It wasn't like Clete to make something into an occasion, but for Dona and his family, he made exceptions. A few years back at Thanksgiving, he spread his arms wide at the table and said he could feel all the love in the room. Then he went back to eating.  

True to how he lived his life, Clete requested no services or ceremony to mark his passing. Instead, family and everyone who knew him will fondly remember Clete exactly as he was.

Clete was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Robert O'Donnell, Richard O'Donnell, and Marylou Raih.  

He’s survived by his loving and devoted wife, Dona; his sons Tom (Lara) and Dan (Julia); Dan’s and Julia’s children, Lilian and Grady; his siblings Charlene Latimer, Joan Donnelly, and Edward "Ed" O'Donnell; and many special nieces and nephews.