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Arnold Bernhardt, Gordon Clay

Arnold Bernhardt

Arnold Bernhardt, age 100, of Tomah, WI, passed on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at his home. He was born Sept. 4, 1909, in Tomah, to August and Emma Bernhardt.

As a young man, Arnold worked many jobs, on threshing crews, cutting railroad ties, doing masonry and farming. Together with his brothers, he enjoyed playing various instruments, including the fiddle, banjo, pump organ and concertina. They played at house parties and barn dances.

In 1934, he married Minnie Parlow at Pastor Schaller’s home in Tomah. They worked together on a rental farm and welcomed their daughter, Marcella, into their family in 1940. In 1949, they moved to the farm where they would be for the remainder of their lives. Arnold farmed until his retirement in 1976.

Arnold was an avid fisherman, gardener, hunter and berry picker. He and Minnie went fishing whenever the weather allowed, often having their limit before the day had barely begun. Arnold was especially proud of the melons he grew in their garden and drove Minnie around when they sold their produce to folks in town. He always let Minnie do the dealing. Arnold took to the woods after squirrel and rabbits and fared well on his hunts as he was a good shot. Arnold picked more than his share of berries over the years, raspberries, blackcaps and blueberries. He knew some of them would end up in a pie, which always tasted like more.

Arnold greatly enjoyed the outdoors, and was familiar with all the birds and animals that came around the farm. He fed the birds all year and shared his knowledge of the birds with others. He most enjoyed the birds from the porch, where he also watched the activity on neighboring farms.

Playing cards with friends and family was a favorite evening pastime. Favorite games included penny ante poker, euchre, and pfeiffer. Arnold always seemed to hold the ace or trump card needed to take the trick. Arnold loved to visit with family and friends, sharing stories and many good laughs.

He is survived by his daughter, Marcella (Terry) Ortman, of Madison; granddaughters, Karla (Bill Klase) Ortman, of Rhinelander and Linnea (Mitch) Arnold of Sun Prairie; great-grandsons, Greyson Arnold and Sullivan Arnold, both of Sun Prairie, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He leaves behind his long-time feline companions, Louie and Weazie.

Arnold was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie (Parlow) Bernhardt; his parents, August and Emma Bernhardt; and his siblings and their spouses, Herb (Mabel) Bernhardt, Martha (Ben) Sohn, Lillian (Art) Kindt, Bill (Elsie) Bernhardt, Ed (Erma) Bernhardt, Leo (Emma) Bernhardt, and Gilbert (Leona) Bernhardt.

Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the staff of Comprehensive Nursing Services who cared for Arnold at his home over the last 3½ years. Arnold was especially fond of his caregivers and enjoyed their company very much. Thanks also go to the pastors and staff of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church for their many visits and support of Arnold. Finally, much gratitude goes out to the staff of Tomah Hospital’s Palliative Care and Hospice Touch, for the care and services provided to Arnold and his family.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Donald Buch officiated. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends called Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Following the funeral services, family and friends were invited for a luncheon at the Tee Pee Supper Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Tomah Hospice Touch.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Gordon Clay

Gordon Clay, age 65, of Tomah, WI, died unexpectedly Jan. 13, 2010, at his home. He was born Aug. 23, 1944, to Roland “Red” and Freda (Vandervort) Clay on the family farm in Tomah. Gordie served in the United States Army in Korea where he was an examination specialist.

Gordie was united in marriage to Sue Steinmetz Jan. 27, 1968, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tomah. He worked at the Tomah VA Medical Center as a nursing assistant for a few years before going to work for Rezin Construction as an operator and supervisor. Gordie was a member of the Tomah American Legion Post #201. His favorite pastime was enjoying a beer at Smoke’s Elbow Room Bar and socializing with his many friends. He also enjoyed golfing, stock car racing, watching western movies, hunting and fixing things, especially his tractor. More than anything he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and his dog, Charlee.

He is survived by his wife, Sue; his children, Kelli Clay of Ripon and Janna (Joe) Engel of Tomah; six granddaughters, Lindsey and Ashley Zblewski, Carlee, Kendall and Sydney Wedemeier and Olivia Engel; a brother, Tom (Patricia) Clay of Tomah; a sister, Kay (Sterling) Standiford of Eau Claire; mother-in-law, Ermegeane Baldwin; sister-in-law, Pamela (Dennis Ryan) Steinmetz; brother-in-law, Greg (Kathy) Steinmetz; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland “Red” and Freda Clay; grandparents, Frank and Dede Clay and Rollie and Mattie Vandervort; father-in-law, Leonard Steinmetz; brother- and sister-in-law, John and Jennifer Heding; aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends called Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.