Obit: Southworth, John A. (1936 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Southworth, Klister, Wagner, Kaiser, LaCamera, Shaffer, Kramer, Seidl, Reynolds, Miya, Mullen, Strasser, Guerten, Hessefort, Bolz, Woznicki

----Source: Sauter-Rembs Funeral Home (Stratford, Wood Co., WI) 8/19/2021

Southworth, John A. (7 March 1936 – 16 August 2021) With Flag

John A. Southworth, 84, of Stratford, passed away with his beloved wife and children by his side on August 16, 2021.

John was born March 7, 1936, in Wauwatosa and grew up on a dairy farm near Owen, graduating in 1955 from Owen High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1956 and served 10 years as an enlisted man before attending Artillery Officer Candidate School, graduating in 1966. John served in Special Forces for over 15 years until retiring as a Major in 1976 with more than 20 years of active-duty service. During his service, he was awarded the Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, and received three (3) Bronze Stars with one (1) for valor during combat actions over the two years he served in Vietnam with Special Forces. He was also awarded numerous other awards, which include five (5) Air Medals, and Presidential Unit Citations.

Following his service, he attended UW Stevens Point, graduating in 1979 with a degree in Elementary Education. He taught 6th grade for 20 years at Stratford Elementary school, retiring in 1999. He then served on the Stratford School Board from 2001 to 2007. He and his wife, Elizabeth “Betty,” have been married for over 60 years and loved to travel to spend time with family and friends. He has held numerous offices in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6352, including Post Commander, Post Adjutant, District Judge Advocate, District Chaplain, and Youth Activities Chairman.

John (aka “Clark Kent”) was an avid cross-country skier, completing 20+ American Birkebeiners, at least 5 Kortelopets, many races at the Badger State Games and several Great Bear Chase ski races. When the snow melted, John traded his skis in for his bicycle. John could be seen biking throughout the Stratford area and beyond. Just two weeks before his death, he biked 14 miles in The Highground 37th Annual Heroes Bike Ride Tour. His passion for skiing and biking inspired many to join him in these sports.

Those who will cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Betty (Wagner) of Stratford; his four children who all graduated from Stratford High School: Karin (Roy) Kaiser of Stratford, Theresa (Paul) LaCamera currently of South Korea, John (Amy) of Lithia, Fl, and Mary (Jeff) Southworth Shaffer of Cincinnati, OH; eleven grandchildren: Amanda (Matt) Kramer, Karissa (Tyler) Seidl, Breanne (John) LaCamera Reynolds, John (Amanda) LaCamera, Katelyn (Branden) LaCamera Miya, Margaret LaCamera, Alicia Southworth, Mary Southworth, Rebecca Southworth, Jacqueline Shaffer, and Elizabeth Shaffer; and seven great-grandchildren: Otto, Etta, Tillie (Kramer), Zelda, Freya (Reynolds), Ethan and Jay (Seidl). He is also survived by two brothers: Dan (Marge) and Dennis (Nancy) Southworth; sisters-in-law: Annette Southworth (Donald), Elaine Southworth (George), and Janice Southworth (James), Grace (Wagner) Mullen, and Tom (Cita) Wagner, Gladys (Strasser) Wagner, and Norbert (DeeDee) Strasser; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Claire and Agnes (Klister) Southworth; siblings Donald Southworth, George Southworth, Charlotte Southworth, Bernice Guerten, Mary Hessefort, and James Southworth; brothers-in-law Conrad Bolz, Bill Guerten, and Lee Hessefort; and niece Audrey Woznicki.

If desired, memorials in John’s name may be made to Stratford VFW Post #6352. Checks should be written to Karin Kaiser with “Stratford VFW Post #6352” written in the memo line and mailed to: Karin Kaiser, 211841 County Road M, Stratford, WI 54484.

John’s funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at 11 a.m. with visitation at 9-11 a.m. preceding the funeral, with burial immediately following. John’s arrangements are under the care of Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home, Stratford.