Thirteenth Generation

304. Kay Louise CLAY (~) was born on 14 June 1940 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁰⁰ She appeared in the census in 1950 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁷² She graduated in 1958 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁸⁷ from Tomah High School. Kay died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 69 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI.⁵⁸⁸ Obituary Notes: "Kay Louise Standiford, age 69, of Eau Claire, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, at her home. She was born June 14, 1940, in rural Tomah, daughter of Roland and Freda (Vandervort) Clay.

She married Sterling Standiford March 24, 1962. She was a beautician at Expressions in Eau Claire. She enjoyed spending time going to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and shut-ins to do their hair. She was a great pie-maker and made the best pie crusts ever and loved making soup. She was a very good seamstress and loved crafts. She also enjoyed going to the casino. She liked being around people and was very family-oriented and loved her grandkids - it was her hobby.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Sterling; two sons, Dan Standiford of Madison and Jon (Jocelyn) Standiford of Eau Claire; three grandchildren, Allix, Jared and Megan; one brother, Tom (Pat) Clay of Tomah; sisters-in-law, Sue Clay of Tomah and Elaine Myers of Hillsboro; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Gordon “Gordy” Clay.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 23, at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona, with the Rev. James Whatley officiating. Burial will be at a later date." She was buried on 23 January 2010 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI.⁵⁸⁸

Kay Louise CLAY (~) and Sterling Jon STANDIFORD were married on 24 March 1962 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁹⁵ (They may have been married on 23 March 1961.) Sterling Jon STANDIFORD, son of Barnett Joy STANDIFORD and Leona Edna GERWING, was born on 16 September 1938 in Hillsboro, Vernon County, WI.⁵⁸⁹ He was born on the family farm on Highway 33, between Hillsboro and Ontario, WI. He graduated in 1957 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^590,591 from Tomah High School. He died on 11 February 2025 at the age of 86 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI.¹⁰⁵ Obituary Notes: "Sterling J. Standiford passed away on February 11 at the age of 86. Husband, father, mentor, public servant, but most importantly, Sterling understood the importance of lifelong friends.

Sterling was born on September 16, 1938, in rural Hillsboro, WI and attended a one-room school before moving into the city. In his junior year, a new family farm was purchased near Tomah where Sterling finished high school. Instead of following farming life, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After basic training at Great Lakes, he served as an MP at Miramar AFB in Southern California where he had his first taco and saw Elvis.

Although tempted to continue with his military career, he returned to Wisconsin to work in Milwaukee where he met his first lifelong friend, Duane (Duke) Marten, also from the Tomah area (and best man at his wedding). He continued his law enforcement career with the Tomah PD.

He met and married Kay Louise Clay on March 24, 1962, where he gained his most important lifelong friend and love. After graduating from the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy, Sterling was sent to Sauk County to work old Hwy. 12 before the Interstate was completed.

Returning to Tomah, Sterling renewed another lifelong friend in Richard (Dick) Dana. Soon after an import from Detroit, Patrick (Pat) Levoir rounded out the gang: the Tomah Gang. The Gang and their spouses were inseparable with bowling leagues, softball tournaments, fishing, hunting, and even throwing in on a couple of acres up North. Life wove them together through births, graduations, weddings and ceremonies. Sterling transferred to the State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy where he taught firearms safety and marksmanship to cadets.

The Tomah Gang was stressed, but did not break when Sterling accepted a position as Captain and the family moved to Eau Claire in 1980. Here he went from educator to administrator for most of Northern Wisconsin.

While in Eau Claire, Sterling opened another book as a Mason with Sanctuary Lodge #347 and later served as the Master of the Lodge and Commander in Chief of the Scottish Rite Valley of Eau Claire. Sterling was elected and became a 33rd Degree in 2002.

Sterling was a dutiful member serving the community not only in law enforcement, but as a vocal fundraiser and serving on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Upper Wisconsin.

After retirement from the State Patrol, his public sector service did not end. Sterling went to work for Chippewa Valley Technical College in their criminal justice program mentoring the future of law enforcement and safety. After a second retirement, Sterling took great pride in working for Osseo Ford traveling for dealer transfers and driving for their fleet maintenance business. Through his work and volunteering, Sterling enjoyed his new grandchildren with Kay.

Sterling was the last man standing of the original Tomah Gang. One by one all fell — mostly spouses first — but eventually also the old men. His only complaint, besides the Packers, was he outlived them all.

Sterling is survived by his sons, Daniel Standiford and his joy Robin Martelli of Hugo, MN and Jon Standiford and his rock Jocelyn Standiford of Eau Claire; his grandchildren, Allix Hayden (Brandon), Jared Standiford and Megan Standiford, all of Eau Claire.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Barnett Joy Standiford and Leona Elna (Gerwing) Standiford; sister, Elaine Myers; and loving wife and joy of his life, Kay (Clay) Standiford.

Services will be at the Masonic Temple at 616 Graham Ave., Eau Claire on Friday, March 7 with visitation from 3-5 p.m. and a short service beginning at 5 p.m. Light snacks and coffee will be provided. A cash bar will be available after the ceremony.

Donations in lieu of flowers in Sterling’s memory can be made to the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Upper Wisconsin — a charity Sterling championed for many years — located within the Masonic Temple. The Dyslexia Center provides evaluations and tutoring free to all students."

Kay Louise CLAY (~) and Sterling Jon STANDIFORD had the following children: