Elwin Clare Lidel of Siren, Wisconsin, ended his 98-year journey peacefully Sunday morning, Sept. 13, 2026, having lived a full and gracious life. He was a kind and generous man.
Clare Lidel was born Nov. 10, 1928, on the farm in Madison, South Dakota, to former cowboy Alvin R. Lidel and school-teacher bride Jeanette (Derr) Lidel. He grew up during the Depression, an era of immense change, living through many historic events. He and his family moved to a farm in Pierpont, South Dakota. Clare spent his allowance on secret flying lessons at age 15. His folks learned of his pilot training when he made his first solo flight on his 17th birthday buzzing over the family farm. Later in life he owned planes and belonged to the Tonka Flying Cub.
Clare left the farm to join the Army in 1945, celebrating his 18th birthday on a troop ship enroute to Kyushu Island. He joined the 24th Infantry Division, 21st Regiment occupying Japan. He was a clerk and projectionist while in the service.
Clare met and married Vivian Eikanas March 25, 1951; their honeymoon was a driving trip to Duluth, Minnesota. Before having kids, he ran a movie theater in Pierpont, South Dakota.
Clare attended the Twin City Television Lab School at the Lyceum Theater in Minneapolis. (Across from Harry’s Cafe, but he couldn’t afford to go there.) He soon opened a television sales and service shop where he was once robbed at gunpoint. Vivian had her own beauty shop next door. Clare went to trade school and became a machinist tool and die maker. He worked for Minneapolis Moline as an internal grinder. He did the grinding on the power chamber of the 75 millimeter gun on tanks worked on every single power chamber on the 75’s including the tank at the Siren Veterans Park.
Clare liked to drive, in the course of his life he drove: gravel truck, taxi, Coke truck, ambulance, school and tour buses. Later, Clare worked for General Mills, Cornelius, and Tonka Toys. In 1969 Clare moved his family to Wisconsin and owned and operated the Lake-Aire Resort while also working at Minneapolis Plastic Manufacturing in Frederic. Traveling was a priority for Clare, he took his young family to many national parks, north into Canada and south across Mexico to Acapulco. After retiring from MPM, Clare and Vivian spent their winters traveling between Texas and Arizona.
Clare’s interest in technology and electronics started early in his life when he received a radio for his eighth birthday. He continued to explore new technologies as they appeared. Maybe you have been his Facebook friend.
Clare always lived on a lake, Lake Madison, Pierpont Lake, Dutch Lake and Spencer Lake. He was a strong swimmer and always had some kind of a boat.
Clare was a member of Siren Bethany Lutheran Church, Siren School Board, American Legion Post #396, and the Landmark Masonic Lodge #244 (since 1956).
Clare is survived by his children, Roxan (Doug) Clausen, Pam Daniels and Troy Lidel; grandchildren, Troy (Kelly) Daniels, Adam (Stephanie) Daniels, and Christopher L. Cannon; great-grandchildren, Holden, Archie, Emmitt and Easton; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Jeanette Lidel; wife, Vivian Lidel; and brother, Philip Lidel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the American Legion Post #396 in Frederic, Wisconsin, would be appreciated by the family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Pour House (24136 State Road 35, Siren) on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, between 1 and 4 p.m. Clare will be interred at a private service with military honors at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin.
The Picha Funeral Home and Crematory of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, assisted the family with arrangements. For online condolences and information, go to pichafuneralhome.com.
