Dr. John E. Clemons

Dr. John Clemons, 81 of La Crosse, passed away on Thursday, August 24 ^th , 2017. He had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 35. Recently he developed progressive pulmonary fibrosis of the lungs.

John was born October 25 ^th , 1935 to John and Hattie (Steinmetz) Clemons in New Auburn, Wisconsin. He attended New Auburn public schools and moved to Chippewa Falls, WI his junior year. John graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High in 1953. He attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education in 1957. On June 20, 1959 he married Arla Selberg in Waukon Iowa.   John went on to attend medical school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving his M.D. degree in 1962. After spending two years in general surgery training at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital, John attended the University of Iowa where he specialized in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery as well as maxillofacial surgery. While at the University of Iowa, he did research on transplantation of the ear’s tympanic membrane. In February of 1968, shortly before finishing his residency, Dr. Clemons received orders to report for service in the United States Army. For unknown reasons, John was never called. At age 35, he received notice “he was too old to serve”.

Dr. Clemons joined Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse, WI in 1968 where he established the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery, as well as the Head and Neck Cancer Tumor Clinic. This progressive multidisciplinary clinic incorporated the specialties of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Radiation and Medical Oncology, Speech Pathology, Nutrition Services, and Social Services. Along with Dr. Larry Severeid and Dr. Mark Connelly, Dr. Clemons also established the Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic. Both the Head and Neck Cancer Clinic and Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic are still in practice at Gundersen Health System today. They are a legacy to John’s vision of providing comprehensive care to patients with these complex medical conditions.

In 1977, Dr. Clemons suggested the establishment of outreach clinics bringing otolaryngology-head and neck surgery specialty services to communities in the tri-state area. He established the first regional specialty outreach clinic in Winona, MN followed by clinics in Viroqua, Whitehall, and Hillsboro, WI.   Other specialties followed suit and today Gundersen Health System now provides medical specialty care services in 65 locations involving 188 care providers in 46 different specialties.

Dr. Clemons was a member of the American Medical Association, Wisconsin Medical Society, and Wisconsin Society of Otolaryngology. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a member of the National Cleft Lip and Palate Society. He served as President of the Tri-State Otolaryngology Society and was appointed Clinical Professor at the University of Wisconsin after establishing a rotation for University of Wisconsin Otolaryngology Residents at Gundersen Clinic-Lutheran Hospital. He was a mentor to many young physicians training in family practice, oral surgery, general surgery, internal medicine in addition to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents. During his career, John was always grateful for the dedicated and compassionate care given by nursing and support staff who partnered with him in the care of his patients.

Due to his rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. Clemons retired in 1996. Retirement gave John time to complete his autobiography, Tending My Flock , which was published in 2006. Retirement also allowed him to spend more time on his hobby of carving and painting songbirds. Fishing, boating, relaxing at his cottage on the river, and spending time with family and friends were favorite activities.

Dr. Clemons loved his work as an otolaryngologist and was proud of his many accomplishments, as well of those of his wife, Arla, who helped him in his many endeavors. He was also proud of his four daughters and nine grandchildren, enjoying them throughout their many stages of life. One of his most proud and humbled accomplishments was being named a 2007 Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. John felt that being named a Distinguished Alumnus gave recognition to his teaching of many students and residents in the practice of medicine.

In addition to his wife, Arla Clemons, he is survived by his four daughters: Amy (Dr. Edwin) Overholt of La Crosse, WI, Ann (Paul) Van Dyck of Winona, MN, Julie Johnson of Madison, WI, and Jane (David) Bower of Mesa, AZ, nine grandchildren: Eddie and Ella Overholt, Callie and Lee Van Dyck, Christopher and Samuel Johnson, Allan, Allison, and Alex Bower, and two sisters: Amorette Wegner of St. Paul, MN and Joann Clemons of Chippewa Falls, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Geraldine (Clarence) Fedie of Chippewa Falls, WI.

Memorial services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4141 Mormon Coulee Road on Thursday, August 31 ^st at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will precede the funeral from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Gundersen Medical Foundation, Good Shepherd Youth, or the La Crosse Community Theater.