Kathleen M. Clerkin

MADISON - Kathleen M. Clerkin, 79, of Madison, passed away on April 4, 2026, in her home. She was born in 1946 in Oshkosh, Wis., the daughter of Orrin and Mary Jane Wickert. She grew up in Green Bay and graduated from UW-Whitewater, where she met the love of her life, William Clerkin. They were married on June 21, 1969, in Green Bay.

In Madison, she worked as an administrative assistant at Oscar Meyer, developing many lifelong friendships. She spent the next chapter of her career at Glendale Elementary School, working in the office and running a publishing lab for students. In retirement, she volunteered weekly in the school library, as well as with NewBridge.

She had deep faith as a lifelong Lutheran, was a Packers fan from birth, closely followed the Badgers, enjoyed the arts as a voracious reader, theater-goer, and lover of music, and was a dedicated antiquer, shopper, and general treasure hunter. She kept a busy calendar, maintaining a dense network of friends from work, church, family, and neighbors, making sure she was up to date with everything going on with them, and vice versa.

She always brought kindness, empathy, and an irrepressible spark for life to all of her interactions, lighting up the room with her contagious laugh, comforting those in need with the best hugs, and offering to drive people anywhere they needed to go, regardless of distance.

Her favorite getaway was Door County with her sisters and niece, and she enjoyed the beach and walking along the water, feeling the wind on vacations to Silver Lake, Michigan; Laguna Beach, California; and visiting her cousin Jody in Naples, Florida.

She is survived by her son David (Clare); siblings, Ellen and Marjorie; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; and seven precious kitties.

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at noon. In lieu of flowers, her family is asking for donations to the Madison Cat Project in Kathy's memory.

All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services of Madison is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at www.866allfaiths.com.