Clarence Patrick Jilk, age 86, of the Town of El Paso WI died Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Preferred Senior Living Center, Ellsworth, WI.

His parents George and Theresa (Reitz) Jilk welcomed him into this world, weighing 2 pounds on September 14, 1932. He was baptized, confirmed and found strength in his Catholic faith. He attended the Maple Grove one room school house close to his home. In his youth, Clarence worked hard on his parent’s farm in El Paso Township. After school, he attended the Dunwoody Institute in the Twin Cities where he learned carpentry. He excelled in the roofing trade for many years. On August 5, 1955, he married Loretta C. Strobel at St. Francis Church in St Paul. They would go on to be married for 49 years. After getting married, he purchased a farm in the Rush River area in 1959 where he cultivated the soil, milked the cows and raised six children until he retired. Clarence was a devoted Packers fan and spent countless hours fishing in his later years. He had a gift of conversation, some say he could talk your leg off. He was a man of several talents, from clock making to beekeeping. His mind was always thinking of how to make or fix something. He created solar panels using aluminum cans.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Loretta; his parents; and all of his siblings.

Clarence is survived by his children, Katherine Jilk of Minneapolis, MN, Keith (Julie) Jilk of Prescott, WI, Karen (Tarry) Schuster of Nenana, AK, Kenneth (Becky) Jilk of Prior Lake, MN, Kris (Steve) Cummings of Spring Valley, WI, Karla (Taher) Sharabati of the Country of Jordan; 12 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am on Saturday, February 2nd at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 200 Church Road, Plum City, WI. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 pm Friday, February 1st at O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 130 North Grant Street, Ellsworth and one hour prior to Mass, at the church, on Saturday. Burial will be in Lost Creek/Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, township of El Paso WI.

The family sincerely wishes to thank the Preferred Senior Living Center staff and Hospice for their detail and attention to Clarence while in their care. To those who visited him, be it known that he truly appreciated your company. www.oconnellfuneralservices.com 715-273-4421

Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Benedict Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth.