Ruth Clarkin

Ruth E. Clarkin, 89, of Holmen, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Onalaska Care Center.
She was born in La Crosse on December 12, 1926, to Matthew and Margaret (Miller) Weibel. She attended Holy Trinity Grade School and was a 1945 graduate of Aquinas High School. Ruth continued to stay connected with her “Trinity Gang” by getting together several times a year for Super Bowl parties, dinner parties and other outings. She attended her 70th reunion at Aquinas High School last year.
Ruth married LaVerne Payne on June 17, 1950. Together, they operated the North Star Tavern on the north side of La Crosse for several years. They later divorced. She then married Robert Clarkin on February 26, 1977. He preceded Ruth in death on December 31, 1994.
Ruth worked for many years for the State of Wisconsin Unemployment Office both in Watertown, Wis. and La Crosse before retiring. She was active in the Holmen Historical Society and Homemakers. She also enjoyed genealogy and kept meticulous records of her own family’s history.
The family would like to thank Glen and Pat Eveland, and Leroy Wannemuehler for their unconditional friendship and support that enabled Ruth to remain at the home and farm she had grown so fond of over the years.
Ruth is survived by her children, Deb Payne of Onalaska, Nick Payne of Onalaska, and Diane (Mark Pretasky) Payne of La Crosse; grandchildren, Jason (Paula) Meyer, Ryan (Jessica) Meyer, Tammy (Brandi) Meyer, Lindsey (Emil) Meindl, Amanda Payne, Kacie (Skyler) Vyse, and Kyle, Hilary, Katrina and Kimberly Kendhammer; and great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Jax and Kinley Meyer, Mason, Wesley and Emil Adrian Meindl, Lucas, Dylan and Riley Payne, Isaac and Remi Vyse and Colton Kendhammer. She is further survived by step-children, Sue (Larry) Einerwold, Paula (Jim) Bakalars, Jr. and Colleen Clarkin; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jane Biesterfeld of Wautoma, Wis., and Marge (Ray) Schnapp of Glendora, NJ; a sister-in-law, Emma Weibel; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands, Ruth was also preceded in death by a daughter, Yvonne “Beaner” Meyer; a step-daughter, Connie Gregory; a step-son, Patrick Clarkin; a sister, Virginia Weibel; two brothers, Donald Weibel and James Weibel; and granddaughter-in-law, Shelley Meyer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 27th, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 515 Main St. in Holmen. Rev. John Paar and Msgr. Delbert Malin will officiate. Burial will take place in the Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the church, where a prayer service will begin at 6:30 p.m., and again on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.