Clifford J. Koutnik

Clifford J. Koutnik
Sherwood, WI

Age 87, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2002 at Calumet Homestead in New Holstein. He was born on October 2, 1914 in Kaukauna, Wisconsin the son of the late Edward and Margaret (Klein) Koutnik. On October 3, 1939 he married Helen Franzen of Charlesburg, Wisconsin. He attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin and owned and operated Koutnik’s Paint Store in Appleton, Wisconsin. Clifford, a charismatic and successful businessman, enjoyed sharing stories and being with his customers. He spent over 50 years in the paint and wallpaper business. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan , enjoyed hunting, fruit growing, polka music, collecting and repairing accordions and concertinas. He was often referred to as the “accordion man”. He formed a polka band in the 1940’s known as “Cliff’s Melodeons”. Clifford was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Sherwood, and the St. Norbert’s Alumnae Association.
He will be sadly missed by his wife Helen of Menasha, his four children: Jerome Koutnik of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, William Koutnik of Appleton, Wisconsin, Teresa (James) Karls of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Robert Koutnik (fiancée Renee Missall) of Shiocton, Wisconsin. He is also survived by his son-in-law Richard Van Elzen of Kimberly, Wisconsin, brother-in-law John Franzen of Wautoma, Wisconson, and sister-in-law Martina Franzen of New Holstein, Wisconsin. His grandchildren include Annette (James) Chen of Eureka, California, Jeff (Cindy) Van Elzen of Racine, Wisconsin, Catherine (Mark) Randerson of Freedom, Wisconsin, Susan (Todd) Pennings of New Franken, Wisconsin, Brenda (Patrick) Skalecki of Darboy, Wisconsin, Mark Karls of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Sherri (Daniel) Kowalske of West Bend, Wisconsin, and Trever Koutnik of Shiocton, Wisconsin; great grandchildren Harold Chen, Alexandria, Angela, and Nicholas Van Elzen, Justin, Benjamin, and Emily Randerson, Adam, Jacob, and Maria Pennings, and Austin and Lindsey Skalecki. He was preceded in death by a daughter Gloria Van Elzen in 1998.
The mass of the Resurrection will be conducted on Friday at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sherwood, Wisconsin with the Rev. Kenneth Frozena officiating. Interment will take place in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Sherwood. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of the services. A memorial fund is being established.

Greenwood-Fargo Funeral Home
500 Hendricks Avenue
Kaukauna 766-6201