Ethel Irene (Sexton) Clausen was born April 8, 1937 to Lee and Grace (Munch) Sexton. She was the tenth child. She was a young child of 7 when her father passed away. She attended Duran Grade School and Siren High School. She was working as a waitress at the Topper Cafe in Frederic, WI when she met Freeman Clausen. Thus began their love story. They were married at the Little Brown church on March 18, 1961. Together they would raise six children. Even while suffering dementia, Freeman's face would light up with recognition upon seeing her.

Ethel was a hard worker, working various jobs in restaurant, and several years as a molder at MPM Plastics in Frederic. She officially retired in 1999, however soon found that she missed people contact and worked several more years at the Frederic Grocery.

After Freeman's passing, she bloomed as an independent woman. She sold "the farm" and excitedly moved into a small apartment. She eventually moved into the Golden Oaks apartments, surrounded by its own little community.

In 2017-2018, Ethel bravely fought and won a battle with breast cancer that included surgery, chemo and radiation. She beat the cancer, but never seemed to completely regain her strength. A walker and a cane allowed her to continue her independent lifestyle right to the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Freeman; brothers, Clarence, Bill, Bob and Lee; and sisters, Florence, Blanche, Evelyn and Mabel; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Those left to mourn her passing include her children, Larry (Sonya) Clausen, Paula (Laryn) Larson, Carol (Robert) Rooney, Brian Clausen (Kimberly Wilson), Ivan (Bonnie) Clausen, and Diane (Kelly) Powers; nine grandchildren; four bonus grands, great and great-great grands; brother, Paul (Grace) Sexton; cousins, nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

Visitation will be held at Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic on Wednesday, October 20th from 4 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 21st - visitation will begin at church at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, Ethel will be buried next to Freeman at the St. Peter's Lutheran - North Luck Cemetery.

Pallbearers are her sons, Larry, Brian and Ivan and her sons-in-law, Laryn, Robert and Kelly. Rev. Roger Kastelle will be officiant and keyboardist will be Sharon Pilsner

Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home.

Last Update: Oct 19, 2021 6:59 pm CDT