Obit: Nissen, Clark Lee (1922 – 1966)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Nissen, Van Winkle, Lulloff, Goessling, Ohnran

---------Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 30 Jun 1966

Nissen, Clark Lee (8 JUN 1922 – 27 JUN 1966)

This community was stunned late Monday afternoon when it learned of the tragic death of Clark Nissen, 44, a prominent farmer residing in the town of Hoard.

Nissen's death was instant when his head was crushed in a hay baler, which he was underneath repairing a part.

His farm is located 1 1/4 miles from Owen (Clark Co., Wis.) on the north Owen and Curtiss road.

Mrs. Nissen and William Van Winkle, 15 year old youth of rural Withee, who had joined him that forenoon as a summer helper, had been haying until shortly before the accident, when Mrs. Nissen came to Owen to do some shopping.

Only Van Winkle was with Nissen when the accident happened some 30 rods north of the farm house.

Clark County Coroner Robert Lulloff, Neillsville, said that Nissen was replacing a part in a baler in a hay field, with the help of William Van Winkle Jr., Withee, whom helped him with the haying.

They had just returned to the field from Owen, where he had secured a part for the machine and was attempting to install it on the underside of the mechanism. He first had Van Winkle turn the fly wheel because he was having difficulty fitting the replacement part.

Then, Lulloff said, Nissen asked the boy to "just touch the starter", which would operate the power take off from the tractor. The boy said he did as he was talk and heard Nissen moan briefly.

The boy ran to the house and the Owen ambulance service and a physician were called. The ambulance crew removed the body from the baler, Assisting Lulloff at the scene was Clark County Deputy Sheriff Dan Patey.

Friends may pay their final respect until noon today by calling at the Hoeper and Kraut Funeral Home. At two o'clock today funeral service will be conducted from the United Church of Christ, Owen, with Rev. Robert Goessling officiating. Burial will be made at Riverside Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Elton and Loraine Fritz, Ralph Peterson, John Potocnik, Gaylord Kaduce, and Lyle Haas.

Clark Lee Nissen was born June 8, 1922 in the town of Hoard, Clark County. He attended the Owen school system and after his graduation pursued the vocation of farming. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the army for two and one-half years. In the early 50's he was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of Assemblyman, running on the Democratic ticket.

He was an active participant in the activities of his church, farm organizations and of the Adult Vocational Farm class conducted here.

On Dec. 28, 1957 he was united in marriage to the Dormer Doris Ohnran of Glenwood City, who mourns his tragic death, as does his mother, Mrs. Robert (Agnes) Nissen.