Charles Clark

Charles Eugene Clark was born in Kentucky to Grace Clark on January 23, 1929.  At a young age, Grace relocated to Wisconsin with Charles and his older brother, Delmar.  They settled in Lake Geneva, where Grace met and married Loren Loveland who had an infant son, Alan.  Growing up in Lake Geneva, Charles was known as Gene Loveland.  He attended Lake Geneva High School where he met the love of his life, Tirzah Ellsworth.

In 1949, upon Gene applying for a marriage license, he was informed that his legal name was in fact Charles Eugene Clark.  Quite the gossip chain began when the local newspaper announced that Tirzah Ellsworth was engaged to Charles Clark, not her High School sweetheart Gene Loveland.   Shortly after marriage Gene and Tirz had 2 daughters, Zana and Tracy. They called Fontana home, life was good, fun, and filled with family adventures. Gene was an elementary physical education teacher and later went on to be an administrator for Twin Lakes Elementary School.

In 1969, the family moved to Lauderdale Lakes in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Education was always a priority and at the age of 42 he received his PHD in psychology, which led him to his final job as the psychologist and Director of Pupil Services at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Gene loved his family and lived life to its fullest, embracing every opportunity to "teach" others about nature and life. Gene was a natural athlete excelling in every sport and was a runner before running was stylish.  At 55, he ran his first marathon in Milwaukee with his daughter, Zana.  He loved cross country motor cycle trips, flying his Cessna 172, playing games, duck hunting, fishing, and watching sports. Through his love of watching sports, he vicariously taught Tirz to love sports as well.

When Gene and Tirz retired they bought a home on the Manitowish Chain to be closer to their two grandchildren, Clark and Treva, their pride and joy and became affectionately known as Papa.

Many memories were made at Camp Clark. A round of golf, shooting bb's at Pepsi cans, telling WWII stories, fishing, snowmobiling, and the list goes on.  We were always guaranteed a great day up north. Papa believed in magical moments and if fishing didn't ensure a catch, he secretly attached a muskie sucker to get the grandkids a bite.  Being Papa was truly his favorite pastime.

Gene and Tirz spent 30+ years in the Northwoods, until moving to Wausau to be closer to their daughter Tracy and her family as they both faced health issues including Tirz enduring a femur fracture surgery and both contracting Covid.  In November of 2020, Gene and Tirz moved to Renaissance Assisted Living.   At Renaissance, Gene once again became known as Charles. Being in Renaissance allowed them many opportunities to be close to family and assured they would always be together.

Charles passed away peacefully with his wife and family by his side on January 1, 2022, just 22 days shy of his 93rd birthday.  Charles Eugene Clark (Gene Loveland) is survived by his wife of 73 years, Tirzah Ellsworth Clark; daughters, Zana Clark, Milwaukee, and Tracy (Stewart) Etten, Wausau; grandchildren, Clark (Alyssa Greene), Mendota Heights, MN, and Treva, Wausau.

Charles is also survived by his stepbrother, Alan (Carole) Loveland and his nephew, Shane Loveland, his niece Jodi (Robert) Matarelli, Hayward; sister-in-law, Shirl Scharine, Whitewater; brother-in-law, Ed (Carole) Ellsworth, Morgan Hill, CA, and many loving nephews, nieces, and lifelong friends.

The family would like to thank the loving staff and caretakers at Renaissance, Aspirus Hospice, and Jamie from Interim Health Care.

A private family gathering will be in Manitowish Waters in the spring of 2022.

Charles, Gene, Papa was the best of the best. He was our hero, our teacher, and our rock. We will hold the many memories dear to our hearts until we meet again.