Clarence "Sam" Driscoll

Waunakee, Wis. - Clarence William “Sam” Driscoll, a devoted grandfather, Korean War veteran and steadfast Hawkeyes fan, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday August 3rd in Waunakee, Wisconsin. He was 96.

Sam was born in Parnell, Iowa, to Francis and Bridgie (Balton) Driscoll. The family owned a farm, where Sam, along with his brother Barney and sisters Doris, Mary and Elizabeth, developed a strong work ethic while helping with the pigs, cattle, horses, corn and soybeans. One of his favorite childhood memories was riding his beloved horse “Queenie.”

Upon graduating in 1945 from Lone Tree High School in Iowa City, Sam enlisted in the U.S. Army. He had basic infantry training at Fort McClellan in Alabama before being trained as a paratrooper at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) in Georgia. When his service was up, Sam joined the U.S. Army Reserve and shortly thereafter was called to serve in the Korean War with the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division as a corporal performing advanced reconnaissance duties. A recon radio operator, Sam recalled slogging through monsoons and frigid weather deep behind enemy lines (the 38th Parallel) while hauling his weapon and heavy communications equipment. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals. In 2013, Sam and a group of fellow veterans flew to Washington, D.C., aboard a “Badger Honor Flight” to visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial built in their honor.

Upon returning home after the war, Sam earned a degree in accounting from St. Ambrose College, and ultimately went on to join Oscar Mayer in Davenport, Iowa, as an accountant. When he first started at Oscar Mayer, one of Sam’s colleagues looked at his birth name, Clarence, and said, “I can’t call you that.” The colleague decided to call him Sam. The name stuck, and he was known thereafter as Sam. In 1960, Sam married Marcia Rishell in Davenport, Iowa. Together they raised four children: Merribeth, Julie, Jeffrey and Tom. In 1975, Sam’s employment with Oscar Mayer moved the family to corporate headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin.

Sam loved playing golf at the former Cherokee Country Club in Madison and the many trips to Florida to play more golf during the cold Wisconsin winter months. But growing up in Iowa, he remained a steadfast Hawkeyes fan! He served in the community as a member of the Madison East Rotary Club and volunteered at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. The family was active at St. Peter Catholic Church in Madison and St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Waunakee.

After Sam’s retirement in 1992, he and Marcia enjoyed spending time with family and especially their ten grandchildren. Following Marcia’s passing in 2006, after 46 years of marriage, Sam also enjoyed spending time with his five great-grandchildren. A man of great strength and resolve, Sam lived independently in his condominium until age 96. Very much loved by his family, he enriched all with his kind heart and sense of humor.

Sam is survived by his daughters Merribeth (Tim) Smith and Julie (John) Callaghan; sons Jeffrey (Michelle) Driscoll and Tom (Heather) Driscoll; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care and compassion Sam received from Home Again assisted living in Waunakee.

A visitation will be held Friday August 9th, 9:30-10:00am, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church located at 5460 Mary Lake Road, Waunakee, WI 53597. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the church immediately following at 10:00 a.m., with burial following at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to St. Mary of the Lake church.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N Sherman Ave.

608-249-8257