Cletus J. Vanderperren
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 7, 1985 – January 4, 1993
Preceded byEarl F. McEssy
Succeeded byJohn Gard
Constituency89th district
In office
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Preceded byMary Panzer
Succeeded byMary Panzer
Constituency53rd district
In office
January 1, 1973 – January 3, 1983
Preceded byDistrict established
Succeeded byEarl F. McEssy
Constituency89th district
In office
January 5, 1959 – January 1, 1973
Preceded byEdward A. Seymour
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
ConstituencyBrown 3rd district
Personal details
Born(1912-03-04)March 4, 1912
Pittsfield, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedSeptember 24, 1994(1994-09-24) (aged 82)
Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeSaint John the Baptist Church Cemetery, Howard, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Viola Marie Luedtke
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1934; died 1975)​
  • Cora Stencil
    ​
    (m. 1978⁠–⁠1994)​
ChildrenBetty, Carlene, Gloria, Carol
Professionfarmer, politician
NicknameConcrete Clete

Cletus J. Vanderperren (March 4, 1912 – September 24, 1994) was an American farmer and politician. A Democrat, he served 34 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Green Bay and northern Brown County. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving member in the history of the Wisconsin Assembly.[1] His legislative service earned him the nickname Concrete Clete for his efforts to fund roads, highways, and bridges throughout the state.

Early life and career

Vanderperren was born on March 4, 1912, in Pittsfield, Wisconsin.[1] He was educated at the Mills Center school and attended University of Wisconsin–Madison, though he did not graduate.[2] He worked as a farmer for most of his life.[3][4]

Political career

Vanderperren became involved in local politics over the issue of farm-to-market roads and was elected to the Pittsfield Town Board in 1947. He would ultimately serve on the Town Board for the next 30 years, and would be chairman for many of those years.[4] Shortly after his election to the Town Board, in 1951, he was elected to the Brown County Board of Supervisors, and would continue to serve on this board until 1966.[4]

In 1956 he made his first attempt to run for Wisconsin State Assembly in Brown County's 3rd Assembly district, which at that time covered almost all of Brown County outside of Green Bay, Preble, and Allouez.[5] He won a close contest in the Democratic primary but fell short of Republican Edward A. Seymour in the general election.[6]

Vanderperren returned for a rematch in 1958, and this time narrowly defeated Seymour, taking 52% of the vote in the midterm election year.[7] Despite difficult elections in his original district, where he rarely received more than 52% of the vote, Vanderperren would go on to win reelection sixteen times through three redistrictings.

Legislative Legacy

During his time in the Assembly, Vanderperren was known for his advocacy for road, highway, and bridge construction and maintenance and served as Chairman of the Assembly Highways Committee for 20 years (1973–1993).[8][9] After his death, a friend, former state senator Jerome Van Sistine, said that Vanderperren was motivated by the deaths of friends in car accidents, particularly on Wisconsin Highway 29, which they referred to as "The Bloody '29". Vanderperren was the driving force behind the construction of four different bridges over the Fox River—the Allouez-Ashwaubenon, the Donald E. Tilleman, the Tower Drive bridge, and the Walnut Street bridge.[8] He was also instrumental to funding for construction of U.S. Route 41, Interstate 43, and Wisconsin Highway 172.[8]

One of his other longtime priorities in the legislature was the development of opportunities for higher education in the Green Bay area. He was a longtime advocate for the creation of a University of Wisconsin System branch at Green Bay, which he achieved in a 1965 law in collaboration with Kenosha representative George Molinaro and with the support of Republican Governor Warren P. Knowles. The law ultimately established the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and the University of Wisconsin–Parkside.[1][10][11] He also assisted in the creation of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.[1]

He was also instrumental in the creation of Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Brown County, which contains a number of structures listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

Personal life and family

Vanderperren was married twice. His first wife, Viola, suffered from Von Willebrand disease and required frequent blood transfusions. Her condition led Vanderperren to push for state subsidies for blood transfusions.[12] They married on November 24, 1934, and had four daughters together before her death in 1975. Vanderperren subsequently married Cora Stencil, who survived him.[4]

Vanderperren died at Grancare Nursing Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on September 24, 1994.[1][3] At his bedside when he died were his family and his friend, former state senator Jerome Van Sistine. He had seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren at the time of his death. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Betty, who died of Leukemia in 1992.[3]

Due to his advocacy for the creation of the a University of Wisconsin branch at Green Bay, and for his support over the years, the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay named a dormitory building in his honor, known as Cletus Vanderperren Hall.[11]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly, Brown 3rd district (1958–1970)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1956[6] Primary September 11 Cletus Vanderperren Democratic 1,380 53.63% Charles Wanish Dem. 1,193 46.37% 2,573 187
General November 6 Edward A. Seymour Republican 7,753 56.61% Cletus Vanderperren Dem. 5,942 43.39% 13,695 1,811
1958[7] Primary September 9 Cletus Vanderperren Democratic 953 46.65% John Brogan Dem. 820 40.14% 2,043 133
Francis X. Leanna Dem. 270 13.22%
General November 4 Cletus Vanderperren Democratic 5,724 52.20% Edward A. Seymour (inc.) Rep. 5,241 47.80% 10,965 483
1960[13] Primary September 13 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 1,619 51.69% John Brogan Dem. 1,513 48.31% 3,132 106
General November 8 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 8,256 54.24% Lawrence J. Kafka Rep. 6,964 45.76% 15,220 1,292
1962[14] General November 6 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 5,811 51.05% Lawrence J. Kafka Rep. 5,572 48.95% 11,383 239
1964[15] General November 3 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 8,844 53.98% Kenneth Katers Rep. 7,541 46.02% 16,385 1,303
1966[16] Primary September 13 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 1,628 64.71% Ervin Ambrosius Dem. 888 35.29% 2,516 740
General November 8 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 6,330 52.76% Robert N. Johnson Rep. 5,668 47.24% 11,998 662
1968[17] General November 5 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 9,745 51.15% Robert N. Johnson Rep. 9,308 48.85% 19,053 437
1970[18] General November 3 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 9,555 58.06% Francis E. Petras Rep. 6,677 40.57% 16,458 2,878
Kenneth R. Dantoin Sr. Amer. 226 1.37%

Wisconsin Assembly, 89th district (1972–1980)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1972[19] General November 7 Cletus Vanderperren Democratic 11,442 70.23% Henry A. Rueden Rep. 4,851 29.77% 16,293 6,591
1974[20] General November 5 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 8,910 100.0% 8,910 8,910
1976[21] General November 2 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 12,356 68.71% John R. Hansen Rep. 5,628 31.29% 17,984 6,728
1978[22] General November 7 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 8,826 64.57% William H. Dierks Rep. 4,842 35.43% 13,668 3,984
1980[23] Primary September 9 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 1,587 83.05% Wendell W. McLester Dem. 324 16.95% 1,911 1,263
General November 4 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 12,685 59.04% Robert A. Thompson Rep. 8,799 40.96% 21,484 3,886

Wisconsin Assembly, 53rd district (1982)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1982[24] General November 2 Cletus Vanderperren Democratic 9,463 65.82% Peter E. Salefsky Rep. 4,913 34.18% 14,376 4,550

Wisconsin Assembly, 89th district (1984–1990)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1984[25] General November 6 Cletus Vanderperren Democratic 13,318 65.29% James D. Shatswell Rep. 7,079 34.71% 20,397 6,239
1986[26] General November 4 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 10,721 68.73% James D. Shatswell Rep. 4,878 31.27% 15,599 5,843
1988[27] General November 8 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 15,089 68.04% James D. Shatswell Rep. 7,089 31.96% 22,178 8,000
1990[28] General November 6 Cletus Vanderperren (inc.) Democratic 9,604 58.71% Gary F. Drzewiecki Rep. 6,755 41.29% 16,359 2,849

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Relating to: the life and public service of Cletus Vanderperren". Assembly Joint Resolution No. 1 of 1995. Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Vanderperren, Cletus 1912". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Cletus J. Vanderperren". Green Bay Press-Gazette. September 30, 1994. p. 4. Retrieved January 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hildebrand, Scott (September 29, 1994). "Roads, bridges, Vanderperren's legacy for area". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 2. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Eight Seek Posts in Statehouse". Green Bay Press-Gazette. November 2, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved January 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1958). "Parties and Elections" (PDF). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1958 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 673, 777. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1960). "Wisconsin State Party Platforms and Elections" (PDF). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1960 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 659, 698. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 Content, Thomas (September 29, 1994). "Roads, bridges Vanderperren's legacy for area". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "'Concrete Clete' marks milestone". Wisconsin State Journal. March 9, 1992. p. 19. Retrieved January 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Bednarek, David (February 25, 1965). "Two New Universities Supported at Hearing". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 30. Retrieved January 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 "Cletus Vanderperren Hall". University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  12. ↑ Jaeckle, Vickie (May 4, 1977). "Subsidized blood for hemophiliacs urged". Wausau Daily Herald. p. 12. Retrieved January 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ Toepel, M. G.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1962). "Wisconsin Elections" (PDF). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1962 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 794, 867. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  14. ↑ Theobald, H. Rupert, ed. (1964). "Elections in Wisconsin" (PDF). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1964 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 719, 764. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  15. ↑ Theobald, H. Rupert, ed. (1966). "Elections in Wisconsin" (PDF). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1966 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 740, 756. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  16. ↑ Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1968). "Elections in Wisconsin" (PDF). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1968 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 712, 725. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  17. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1970). "Elections in Wisconsin" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin Blue Book, 1970 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 803, 818. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  18. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1971). "Elections in Wisconsin" (PDF). The state of Wisconsin Blue Book, 1971 (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 301, 319. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  19. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1973). "Elections in Wisconsin" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 810, 828. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  20. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1975). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1975 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 810, 831. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  21. ↑ Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1977). "Elections" (PDF). The state of Wisconsin 1977 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 895, 916. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  22. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1979). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 908, 926. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  23. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1981). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1981-1982 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 896, 917. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  24. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1983). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 890, 911. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  25. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1985). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1985-1986 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 909, 927. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  26. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1987). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Barish, Lawrence S. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1987-1988 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 890, 909. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  27. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1989). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 912, 927. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  28. ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1991). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 901, 917. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
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