Clayton Langenberg 

Someone referred to Clayton as the “Mayor of Zeise Street,” not because of any political ambitions but rather because of his interest in the lives of people around him and his many acts of kindness.  He is often to be found sitting on the swing in front of his house, talking to people as they walk by and sometimes handing out suckers to the young ones.  In the winter time he can be found clearing the snow from the driveways of several neighbors, reasoning that they need the assistance because they are away at work all day or they are too old to easily handle it themselves.

 

It was some forty years ago that he first became a member of the Knights of Columbus.  His wife’s uncle Steve said that he was planning to join the Knights and asked Clay to join with him.  They did so, becoming members of a Council meeting at St. Philip Church.  He remembers taking part in several activities of the Council, and also recalls the card games which followed many meetings.  The games did not interest him--at the time he thought the stakes were too high.  He also remembers minstrel shows once put on by the Council, since abandoned because of racial sensitivity.  When a new Council was being formed with St. Bernard as its parish home, he became a Charter Member of Council 10243.  He served as the first Advocate of the new Council (1990-91) but was never really comfortable as an Officer, preferring to work with his hands on the projects of the Council.  In his time with the Knights he has taken part in the vegetable cutting for booyah sales as well as the food stands and Tootsie Roll projects which characterize so many members of the Council.  After Dan McLaughlin’s passing, Eugene Schimtz elected Clayton to be the one to accompany him on some of the preparatory runs for booyah--picking up vegetables and firewood.

 

About ten years ago he retired after 37 1/2 years at Proctor & Gamble.  In his time at the mill he ran a paper machine a city block long and three stories high.  He says he definitely enjoyed the job and especially the people he worked with.  Retirement has given him the opportunity to help people in a variety of ways, ranging from visiting nursing homes to working at St. Vincent DePaul.  He also spends a great deal of time taking care of his lawn and enjoys fishing and woodworking.  His garage contains a 1931 Model A which actually runs.  He and his wife Rosemary also enjoy traveling and have been to Hawaii and several other places in the United States as well as Mexico, Jamaica and Europe.  They also like to spend several weeks in Arizona when they have the opportunity. 

 

Clayton and Rosemary recently celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.  He points out that if it were not for his wife, “lots wouldn’t happen; she’s a wonderful woman.”  They have three sons, all living in the northeast Wisconsin area.  We are grateful for the example of service he has been for the Council.

 

June 1999