Richard Clarke, 79, Wells

Published 12:00 am Monday, September 25, 2006

Richard C. Clarke, age 79, of Wells, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006, at Parkview Care Center in Wells. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate. Visitation is Tuesday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells from 5 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 6 p.m., and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in St. Casimir Cemetery in Wells.

Richard Charles Clarke was born Oct. 1, 1926, the son of Sherwood and Naomi (McCarrick) Clarke in Wells. Dick graduated from Wells High School in 1944 and joined the Merchant Marines from 1945-46. On Sept. 7, 1949, he was united in marriage to Annella Braunshausen at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton. He was a member of the Wells Volunteer Fire Department for 43 years, being captain and assistant chief for many of them. Dick was chief engineer for Musser Company, had worked as a blacksmith with Doc Jensen, then returned as a chief engineer for Stampers and Banquet Foods, retiring in 1993. Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman, traveling to Canada, South Dakota, North Dakota and northern Minnesota. He also enjoyed boating, snowmobiling and working on air conditioners in his garage.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Annella Clarke of Wells; two sons: Charles and wife Lyn Clarke of Kenyon and Brian Clarke of Longmont, Colo.; three daughters: Lynn and husband Marlin Hicks of Wells, Lori Corbin of Stewartville, and Amy and husband Tim Heiser of Mankato; 16 grandchildren: Jennifer, Kevin, Brandon, Brett, Dylan, and Noah Clarke, Cory Cole, Bryce, Marnie and Patrick Hicks, Brian Corbin, Kale and Kylie Stafford, Wesley and Madison Heiser; three great-grandchildren: Colton Clarke, Ian Schull and Kaylee Clarke; three brothers: Don and wife Ranae Clarke of Sun City, Ariz., Frank and wife Maureen Clarke of Rochester, John &8220;Dean&8221; and wife Jean Ann Clarke of Lakeville; and many nieces and nephews.

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