Clarence Charles Lacina

Clarence Charles (Moose) Lacina was born to Mary (nee Cvengros) and William (Boots) Lacina on April 6, 1938, in Phillips, Wisconsin. Moose was raised on a farm in Phillips, WI, with his older brother, William Lacina and cousin, Ray Lacina. Upon graduating from Phillips High School in 1956, where he achieved all conference in football and baseball, Moose attended first UW-Stevens Point where he played football, was a Golden Gloves boxer (winning a state tournament in 1957) then transferred to UW-Superior, where he excelled in football, wrestling and boxing and where he graduated with a B.A. in Biology, followed by a Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling. In later years, UW-Superior inducted Moose into their Hall of Fame for both football and wrestling.

After graduation, Moose married Nancy Baker and had three children (Kim, James and Jill Lacina), with the marriage ending in the 1970s. In 1961-62, as a member of the National Guard, Moose served at Camp Lewis during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Then, in 1961, following a successful college football career, Moose was signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers, under Vince Lombardi. He then played in the United Professional Football League in 1962 as a defensive tackle.

Moose began his career in education working in Adams-Friendship, then moving to the Phillips School District, where he served as Guidance Counselor and Athletic Director, coaching both football (winning the Lumberjack Conference in 1968) and wrestling (winning the Lumberjack Conference in 1971), where he mentored many young athletes. During his career, he worked with students and families, assisting with post-high school education planning. Moose retired in 1995.

Moose married Judy K. Smith in 1981, and they had a long and loving marriage until Moose’s passing. Judy was a wonderful partner and the love of his life.

During Moose’s lifetime in Phillips, he was an avid hunter, fisherman, gardener and outdoorsman. In 1995, he began making maple syrup on his land in Phillips, with dear friends, Tim Popp, Mikey Johnson, Rick Henderson and John Satterwhite. They produced hundreds of gallons of delicious syrup over the years, until they became a bit too old to make it anymore.

Moose’s life was enriched by his many friendships, including his best friend, Tim Popp, his maple syrup buddies (John, Rick and Mikey), Cully Erickson, John Brennan, Pete Heath, Don Scharbarth and so many others in town. Additionally, his children and grandchildren brought him immense joy, and he loved taking them for boat rides, making fish fries, going for walks in the woods and having loving and fun times together.

In his retirement, Moose was active with Phillips Logger Athletics, the Phillips Lions Club and helped with other community events, including Czech Fest, the town triathlon and many more. Moose will always be known for his kindness, his optimism and his willingness to help others. He was truly a “glass half full” man. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2026 and was lovingly cared for by his wife, Judy, and family members. He passed peacefully on May 18, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Judy, his children, daughters Kim (Philip Delgado) and Jill (Matt Jarett), son, Jim, grandchildren, Georgia and Ziggy Wood, son Tom Ehnert and grandson Gabe Ehnert, niece Jenny Lehman, nephew David Lacina, cousin Roberta Reese, nieces Kadija Tracy and Roseanne Rech, nephews Ray (Shona) Lacina and Michael Waller, beloved in-laws, Barb and Jay Nordstrum, Mary and Melvin Harn, Diane Rhymes, Buffy and David Barth, Jean and Gary Smith.

He was very loved and will be deeply missed.

If you choose to donate to something that Moose was passionate about, please consider supporting Phillips Loggers Athletics by sending a check or cash to

Loggers United Booster Club

W6692 County Road D

Phillips, WI 54555

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel. A Gathering will be held from 9:00 am until the time of the service. A time of food and fellowship will follow the service.