Clayton M Every

Clayton M. Every, 83, of Onalaska, died on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

He was born in Brainerd, Minn., on June 26, 1930, to Darrell and Fern (Murray) Every. He married Dorothy J. Kjos on January 30, 1952, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in La Crosse.

Clayton served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Ribbon. He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12 of La Crosse, and American Legion Post 336 of Onalaska.

Clayton worked as a plumber his entire life. His career began at the age of 16 when he started working for Harry Viner, then Hengel Brothers/John Hengel Plumbing. In 1969, he established Every Plumbing which he owned and operated until retiring in 1992. Even in retirement, Clayton continued to help his sons by sorting copper, running deliveries, and cleaning up around the shop. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping with family at the Back 40. Clayton loved devoting his time to following the activities of his grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought so much joy to his life.

He is survived by Dorothy, his loving wife of 62 years; five children, Sharon Kjos of Onalaska, Janice (Richard) Fink of Sparta, Dennis (Mary) Every of Onalaska, John Every of Onalaska, and Jacqueline (Charles) Wallace of Waterloo, Wis.; six grandchildren, Craig (Amy) Every, Penny (Jeff) Alibrandi, Brittany and Brianna Geary, Hunter Wallace, and Jamie Fink (Erin Wulf); six great grandchildren, Jacob, Kaleb, Emma and Alaina Fink, and Riley and Jackson Every; and one great, great grandson, Jackson Fink. He is also survived by two sisters, Avis Czechowicz of La Crescent, Marilyn (Don) Bott of La Crescent; one brother, Gerald (Betty) Every of La Crosse; a sister-in-law, Jean Every of Onalaska; and numerous nieces and nephews and many special friends. Clayton was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Ramona Pfaff; and a brother, Arnold Every.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 22thndth, at First Lutheran Church, 410 Main St., in Onalaska. Rev. Jason Stanton and Rev. Karyn Bodenschatz will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Onalaska City Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the church on Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church or Sugar Creek Bible Camp.

Claytons family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Tomah V.A. Medical Center, Gundersen Hospice, Dr. Kyla Lee and her staff, Pastor Karyn and Carol Peterson.