Clarice Ramer Wortzel

Clarice Wortzel, born April 29, 1922, died January 27, 2025 in Madison, WI after a life as long as it was happy. Clarice was born in Passaic, NJ to Israel and Jennie Ramer, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. She grew up there with a large and close extended family, graduating from Montclair State Teachers College in 1942, and went on to work as a social worker with vulnerable children in the foster care system.

  It was during her college years that a blind double date introduced her to the man who became her lifelong love and partner in all things, Arthur I. Wortzel. They married in 1943. Their first child was born while Art was serving overseas at the end of World War II. Not many years later, they were back in Europe as a family of four after Art took and passed the Foreign Service Exam at Clarice’s instigation. And so an adventurous life of travel began. Art's work took them to Germany, Australia, Japan, Poland, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia between 1950 and 1978. Throughout Art’s career, while overseas Clarice worked too, doing the unpaid work expected of American diplomat’s spouses, managing formal events and attending official functions.

 During the years of moving almost every year, she devoted her time to supporting her three children. She taught them how to present themselves because “you represent the United States” and taught them about the countries and cultures they encountered, among other gifts. She also took the few opportunities available to her to teach in the international school in Poland and tutor in Washington so she could use her teacher’s college education. 

During the years between overseas assignments, Washington, DC was home until Clarice and Art retired to Martha’s Vineyard where both made many friends and volunteered with numerous community organizations. In their island home they learned to weave, side by side on his and hers looms and tended a vegetable garden. 

 Clarice and Art moved to Madison in 2002 to be close to their three daughters and their families, and made a full, happy life there. In addition to her love of travel, classical music, reading, and keeping up with American and global politics, Clarice loved trying new recipes and was an excellent cook and baker. 

The family wants to thank all her wonderful friends at Capitol Lakes Retirement Community, especially Barb and George for their daily visits in her final months, as well as the caring staff at Capitol Lakes Terraces. Clarice is survived by her brother Norman (Karen Ramer), her daughters Ellen (Claude Marendaz), Beth (Jim Powell), Dena (Chris Wood), grandchildren Rachael, Sita, Emma and Sam, and great grandchildren Elwood, Jane, and Penny -- beloved family who were the center of her Madison life. She is also survived by nieces and nephews along with their families. A private family service will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery where Clarice will be laid to rest beside Art. Memorial donations may be made to Jewish Social Services of Madison.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434