Buck Clark

Buck Clark, 93 years young, of Gays Mills, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 30, 2021. Buck was born to the late George Jay and Amy (Turk) Clark on February 26, 1928, in Bell Center, WI. When Buck was a young man, he worked for Walter Durst in Shopiere WI, worked 20 years for the Wisconsin Power and Light in Beloit, WI and farmed with his brothers and mother on the La Prairie in Rock County. Buck married Ida (Gilmour) on March 27, 1954, in Beloit, WI. Buck and Ida built their first home in Shopiere, and then purchased their first farm in Hanover, WI. Together they had three children, George (Lori) Clark, Robin (Danny) Connelly, and Tamie (Ed) Hansen. Buck and Ida purchased the farm in Orfordville, WI, in 1967. He milked cows at 5:00 a.m. every morning, 12:00 noon was dinner time and chores started again after supper, which you could set your watch by! Buck always found time to be very active and supportive of his communities. He was a member of the Plymouth Township board. Buck and his family were very active in 4-H, showing registered cattle and draft horses at the local and district fairs. In 1975, Buck received the Conservation Farmer of the Year in Rock County and was very proud of his hard work and improvements he made to the farm in Orfordville. Buck and Ida helped established and were members of the Tri-County Draft Horse Club. They hosted the annual Horse Powered Field Days at the farm for many years. In 1977, Buck and Ida decided to sell the farm in Orfordville and move back to Bucks roots in Crawford County. They purchased the farm near Gays Mills and Buck immediately started to remodel the house, dairy barn and made sure there was room for the draft horses. As time marches on, Ida passed away in January 1994. Buck married Zelda Hanson in June of 1995. Together, they farmed for 26 years. Family, farming, and his dedicated work ethic was who Buck was. With his 8th grade education, there was no task that Buck could not build, repair, design, or construct. If he had a vision to build something, he did it. At the time of his death, he was still giving instructions to his grandchildren on how to put his 3rd crop hay in the barn and making sure the elevator was oiled and put away for the winter. Over the years, Buck had wonderful neighbors such as the Hesgard’s, Knutson’s and Werthwein’s. He was always willing to lend a helping hand or machinery to his neighbors, friends, and the grandchildren. Buck built the “Fair Weather Wagon” and the Turnmire, Leis, Clark (TLC) Wagon Train in the late 90’s. Each month, a member of the wagon train would host the ride. They would travel the county sides with their teams and outriders, putting on about 1000 miles a season. Buck always looked forward to those rides and hosted his final wagon train ride in August with many familiar friends and teamsters. You could count on Buck and Zelda to visit and spend time with the kids and grandkids on Sunday’s. His greatest love was his children, grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren. He always enjoyed a home cooked meal, a cup of coffee with a buttered piece of bread and topping it off with a sweet treat, such as chocolate cake! Buck is further survived by daughter, Leslie (Russell) Quiggle; grandchildren; Ryan Clason, Tim (Becca) Clason, Matt (Rachel) Connelly, Adam (Samantha) Connelly, Adam (Melissa) Clark, Jacob (Marcie) Connelly, Holly Clark, Cody (Brianna) Hershberger, Dallas Hershberger, and Carrie (Marcus) Spitzmiller. In addition, Buck has 18 great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law, Linda Nederlo, Viroqua, WI, and Ellen (Roger) Boom, Seneca, WI; Zelda’s children, Mark (Rania) Hanson, Lisa (Scott) Haynes, and John (Darcy) Hanson; along with many Clark and Gilmour nieces and nephews; special friends, Dave Clason, Milo Hershberger, Lee Steyer and many Amish friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Amy Clark; his wife Ida; his siblings; Betty, Jerry, Faye, Fran; and infant brother, Henry. Rest in peace now Dad, the chores are done… Happy Trails to you. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Coleman-Whitiker Cemetery are appreciated. A Funeral Service for Buck will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills. Visitation will be held Friday, November 5, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills. Additional visitation will be held Saturday at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Buck will be laid to rest at the Coleman-Whiteaker Cemetery in Bell Center. Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills is serving Buck's family. 325 Sunset Ridge Ave. Gays Mills, WI 54631 608-735-2100