Clarice R. Groepper
Clarice Rose Groepper, a life-long resident of the Menomonie area passed away on Sunday. March 31, 2024, at Comforts of Home Memory Care in Menomonie, she was 96 years old.
Clarice was born on July 21, 1927, to Emil and Dorothy (Sumter) Wolske, she was the oldest of five sisters and one brother. The family lived and farmed around the Hatchville area. Clarice graduated from rural country schools, Dunn County School of Agriculture and Dunn County Normal School. Upon graduation she taught at Miller Hill country school for two years. After the war, Clarice met and married Charles Albert Groepper and started a family. In 1957, they moved to a small farm near the Menomonie Junction. Together, Clarice and Chuck owned and operated a trucking business originally called Groepper Trucking and later Badger Truck Lines. In 1975, they sold the business and began a long, well-deserved retirement that included winters in Florida, summers at their cabin on Long Lake, and road trips in their RV. After Chuck died in 1997, Clarice sold the farm and lived in a trailer park in North Menomonie where she had many friends.
Clarice led an active life. She was a long-time member of the Dunn County Homemakers and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She enjoyed traveling and frequently went on Mystery Trips to surprise destinations. In 2000, Clarice and her daughter went on a very special WWII trip across Europe retracing the steps Chuck had taken during his active duty in the war. Clarice also enjoyed being in the woods, reading a good book, playing cards, growing beautiful flowers, and attending family gatherings with her Wolske kin.
Clarice loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor and quick wit. Most of all, Clarice will be remembered for how much she loved people, young and old alike, she always had a smile and kind words for everyone.
Clarice is survived by her children William (Karen) of Menomonie, Robert of New Richmond, Rosanne of Wheeler, and Susan (Dave) Nigg of Cottage Grove, Mn. She is also survived by her sister Dolores Ferber, Betty Turner, and Nancy (Richard) Frank and brother David (Ginny) Wolske along with eight grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and many nephews and nieces. Clarice is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles, her sister Bonnie (Don) Stoll, and her God-daughter Vicky Ferber Phillips.
A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 11:00 AM. A visitation at the church is from 10:00 to 11:00 am. The service will be followed by burial at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery and a luncheon at Kyote’s Bar and Grill (E2339 Wi-29, Menomonie) at 1:00. Everyone is welcome. The family would like to thank the staff at Comforts of Home Memory Center for the loving and respectful care they gave Clarice in her final years.