Clayton J. Coenen

Coenen, Clayton J. “Clyde”

Clayton J. “Clyde Coenen, of Appleton, WI, found peace with the Lord on April 22, 2009, with family surrounding him at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton. He was born April 27, 1916, in DePere, WI, son of the late William & Elizabeth (Fink) Coenen. Clyde married LaVerne Tillman in Appleton on December 27, 1947. Together, they shared a family-focused life full of faith and love.

Clyde is survived by his wife, LaVerne, of 61 years, and his children; Dan (Sally) Coenen of Athens, GA, Amy Coenen (Arthur Anderson) of Milwaukee, WI, Doug (Cathy) Coenen of Richboro, PA, Chip (LuAnn) Coenen of Appleton, Paul (Michelle) Coenen of Appleton, and Beth (Steve) Strohbusch of Milwaukee. “Papa” is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Tim (Ann), Tom, Michael, Amy, Claire, Andy, Sara, Sam, Kristin (Nick Kelly), Ben, Dan, Clay, Laura, Maria, John and Will; his great-grandson Aaron, and many other family members and friends with whom Clyde shared his positive and optimistic spirit. Clyde was preceded in death by his son, Greg, who passed away on June 23, 2008, and Greg's wife, Peg, who passed away on January 12, 2005.

Clyde lived in Neenah and Appleton, WI and Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was guided and inspired by his beloved mother, his Catholic faith, his deep work ethic, his dedication to service, and his love of life.

Clyde attended St. Patrick's School in Menasha, Neenah High School, and Lawrence University. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1950. He spent much of his career as a wholesale lumber broker, having founded Coenen Land and Lumber through which he developed the Applegate subdivision.

During his youth, Clyde was recognized as an Eagle Scout, as captain of his high school football team and as a state-champion wrestler. A WWII veteran, he served as lead bombardier on 35 missions for the 8th Air Force of the Army Air Corps. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and other military honors. His Flying Cross citation stated, “The technical skill and courageous devotion to duty displayed by Lt. Coenen on these occasions reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the Army air forces.”

Clyde served his community in many ways – as a supervisor for the Town of Grand Chute, as a key innovator and early chairman of the Xavier Food Fair, as a deeply committed parishioner at St. Mary Parish in Appleton, and as a supporter of Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of the Oney Johnston-Edward Blessman American Legion Post #38 and Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree).

Clyde had a passion for building, inventing and creating connections with individual people and the broader community. With his own hands, he converted a barracks at Madison's Truax field into a first home for his new family and later built his longtime home on Spencer Street in Appleton.

At the heart of Clyde's life was service to others. His volunteer work included building and renovation projects at Appleton's Monte Alverno Retreat House, Villa Hope/Villa Phoenix, the Appleton ABC (A Better Chance) House, as well as projects at Camp WeHaKee in northern Wisconsin and St. Maurice Parish in Ft. Lauderdale. His work on behalf of St. Mary's included creation of the Boy and Girl Scout Rooms, management of the All Pro Paint-Up Bowl, development of the St. Ann Community Room, and renovations to the sacristy, rectory and convent.

Ahead of his time as an advocate for recycling and reuse of materials, Clyde received a US patent for a device to bundle newspapers. He never stopped thinking or tinkering, always looking for a better way to accomplish a task.

Special thanks are extended to Dr. Lee Vogel, the staffs at Touchmark and Cherry Meadows Hospice, Sister Joanne Goessl, OSF, and all of the family members and friends who have prayed for Clyde and helped him in countless ways.

The Coenen family respectfully requests memorials to the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat For Humanity.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 27 (Clyde's birthday) at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 South State Street, Appleton. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, April 26 from 4 until 8 p.m. and on Monday, April 27 at the church at 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. A parish prayer and scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. at the funeral home on Sunday. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
online condolences
www.wichmannfargo.com