Clemens J. 'Clem' Slepekis

Slepekis, Clemens J. "Clem"MADISON-Clemens J. Slepekis, age 91 died on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at HospiceCare Inc. in Fitchburg. He was born on Oct. 31, 1919, in Sheboygan, the son of John and Veronica (Kupratuis) Slepekis. Clem was united in marriage to Lucille Batt. He worked as a meat cutter and sausage maker in Sheboygan before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. While in the Army he volunteered for the 82nd Airborne Division and saw combat action in Italy at the Battle of Anzio, the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and also the concentration camps in Germany. Clem also saw combat action in Africa and Sicily. He was awarded the Silver Star on the battle grounds in Belgium by the late General Jim Gavin, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. After his discharge from the Army he worked at Wisconsin Power & Light Company in Sheboygan unloading coal cars. After several years at various jobs at WP&L he transferred to Madison as supervisor of systems operations, where he worked for 36 years. Upon retiring, he did volunteer work for the Atwood Community Center, delivered Meals on Wheels and worked at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Clem's hobbies were fishing, woodworking, gardening and grafting his fruit trees. Clem is survived by his three sons, Peter, Michael and Jerome; daughter, JoAnne Hokason; five grandchildren, Leah Fluecke, Lindsay and Christopher Slepekis, Alex and Angela Hokanson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille; son, John; stepfather, Joe Juska; brothers, Frank, Joe, Bernard and Tony; and sisters, Madalyn Johnson and Ann Weber, both of California. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2438 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Visitation will be held at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday followed by full military honors, which will be held at the church. Visitation: Visitation will be held at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday followed by full military honors, which will be held at the church. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2438 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding.