Known as Pappy to most, Clarence was born on November 29, 1927 to Henry and Marie (Schlenz) Hake in Tipton, Kansas. Clarence was the second of seven children and attended St. Boniface Grade School, graduating from Tipton High School in 1945.
He asked former classmate Marilyn Pfeiffer "Will you marry up with me?" and they were joined in marriage on September 4, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Tipton. They celebrated 71 years together in September.
A son of Tipton, Clarence learned carpentry from his uncle in his youth and was known for his woodworking skills and ingenuity. Clarence farmed, did maintenance work for Pizza Hut, was a finish carpenter, and helped construct the Tipton Community School. Clarence designed and built the Ferris Wheel that still graces the Tipton Church Picnic decades later. Raising seven children with Marilyn, he built a home for his family east of Tipton that is now Blue Hills Lodge. He built the place "stick by stick," using redwood recovered from water tanks that had powered steam locomotives, and was proud of the lake he designed and every tree he planted.
Pappy loved the best things in life. He was happiest looking out over the land from his shed, tucking into a good meal, pulling out a bottle of moonshine or Corona, drawing out a joke to its punchline, and singing tunes like "Rubin, Rubin" and "Bill Grogan's Goat." A highlight of his life was his trip to Alaska fishing for king crab, halibut, and salmon. He spent many years setting up Marilyn's booth at art shows, including his favorite, the Winfield Bluegrass Festival. At Blue Hills Lodge, he loved building up a fire for the hunters while swapping jokes. The Lodge allowed him to share his life's work and stories with others. Many hunters returned every year and became a part of the Blue Hills family.
Clarence leaves a family that will treasure the legacy he left us. Every time we put a new generation on the Ferris Wheel, gather in the shed, or dance in the kitchen, we'll be thankful for the years we had with him.
He asked former classmate Marilyn Pfeiffer "Will you marry up with me?" and they were joined in marriage on September 4, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Tipton. They celebrated 71 years together in September.
A son of Tipton, Clarence learned carpentry from his uncle in his youth and was known for his woodworking skills and ingenuity. Clarence farmed, did maintenance work for Pizza Hut, was a finish carpenter, and helped construct the Tipton Community School. Clarence designed and built the Ferris Wheel that still graces the Tipton Church Picnic decades later. Raising seven children with Marilyn, he built a home for his family east of Tipton that is now Blue Hills Lodge. He built the place "stick by stick," using redwood recovered from water tanks that had powered steam locomotives, and was proud of the lake he designed and every tree he planted.
Pappy loved the best things in life. He was happiest looking out over the land from his shed, tucking into a good meal, pulling out a bottle of moonshine or Corona, drawing out a joke to its punchline, and singing tunes like "Rubin, Rubin" and "Bill Grogan's Goat." A highlight of his life was his trip to Alaska fishing for king crab, halibut, and salmon. He spent many years setting up Marilyn's booth at art shows, including his favorite, the Winfield Bluegrass Festival. At Blue Hills Lodge, he loved building up a fire for the hunters while swapping jokes. The Lodge allowed him to share his life's work and stories with others. Many hunters returned every year and became a part of the Blue Hills family.
Clarence leaves a family that will treasure the legacy he left us. Every time we put a new generation on the Ferris Wheel, gather in the shed, or dance in the kitchen, we'll be thankful for the years we had with him.
Known as Pappy to most, Clarence was born on November 29, 1927 to Henry and Marie (Schlenz) Hake in Tipton, Kansas. Clarence was the second of seven children and attended St. Boniface Grade School, graduating from Tipton High School in 1945.
He asked former classmate Marilyn Pfeiffer "Will you marry up with me?" and they were joined in marriage on September 4, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Tipton. They celebrated 71 years together in September.
A son of Tipton, Clarence learned carpentry from his uncle in his youth and was known for his woodworking skills and ingenuity. Clarence farmed, did maintenance work for Pizza Hut, was a finish carpenter, and helped construct the Tipton Community School. Clarence designed and built the Ferris Wheel that still graces the Tipton Church Picnic decades later. Raising seven children with Marilyn, he built a home for his family east of Tipton that is now Blue Hills Lodge. He built the place "stick by stick," using redwood recovered from water tanks that had powered steam locomotives, and was proud of the lake he designed and every tree he planted.
Pappy loved the best things in life. He was happiest looking out over the land from his shed, tucking into a good meal, pulling out a bottle of moonshine or Corona, drawing out a joke to its punchline, and singing tunes like "Rubin, Rubin" and "Bill Grogan's Goat." A highlight of his life was his trip to Alaska fishing for king crab, halibut, and salmon. He spent many years setting up Marilyn's booth at art shows, including his favorite, the Winfield Bluegrass Festival. At Blue Hills Lodge, he loved building up a fire for the hunters while swapping jokes. The Lodge allowed him to share his life's work and stories with others. Many hunters returned every year and became a part of the Blue Hills family.
Clarence leaves a family that will treasure the legacy he left us. Every time we put a new generation on the Ferris Wheel, gather in the shed, or dance in the kitchen, we'll be thankful for the years we had with him.
He asked former classmate Marilyn Pfeiffer "Will you marry up with me?" and they were joined in marriage on September 4, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Tipton. They celebrated 71 years together in September.
A son of Tipton, Clarence learned carpentry from his uncle in his youth and was known for his woodworking skills and ingenuity. Clarence farmed, did maintenance work for Pizza Hut, was a finish carpenter, and helped construct the Tipton Community School. Clarence designed and built the Ferris Wheel that still graces the Tipton Church Picnic decades later. Raising seven children with Marilyn, he built a home for his family east of Tipton that is now Blue Hills Lodge. He built the place "stick by stick," using redwood recovered from water tanks that had powered steam locomotives, and was proud of the lake he designed and every tree he planted.
Pappy loved the best things in life. He was happiest looking out over the land from his shed, tucking into a good meal, pulling out a bottle of moonshine or Corona, drawing out a joke to its punchline, and singing tunes like "Rubin, Rubin" and "Bill Grogan's Goat." A highlight of his life was his trip to Alaska fishing for king crab, halibut, and salmon. He spent many years setting up Marilyn's booth at art shows, including his favorite, the Winfield Bluegrass Festival. At Blue Hills Lodge, he loved building up a fire for the hunters while swapping jokes. The Lodge allowed him to share his life's work and stories with others. Many hunters returned every year and became a part of the Blue Hills family.
Clarence leaves a family that will treasure the legacy he left us. Every time we put a new generation on the Ferris Wheel, gather in the shed, or dance in the kitchen, we'll be thankful for the years we had with him.
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