Cletus "Bud" Elsen

Cletus “Bud” passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at age 97. He was a devoted husband of 65 years to Genevieve (Jenny) Wagner, son of the late Joseph and Loretta Elsen, loving brother to the late Irene Elsen, Virginia (Ray) Kleingers, Margaret Elsen, Mary Elsen, Audrey (Bill) Stenken and Thomas (Valerie Rice) Elsen, father to his adoring children Mary Kay (Dan) Berning, Laurie (Jim) Bauer, Steve (Chris) Elsen and Linda (Steve) Hamberg, and grandfather to 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.  Cletus grew up in Northside, attended trade school and was later drafted in the Army during WWII.  He married his sweetheart in 1958 and lived in North College Hill for 48 years to raise their family.  He retired after 35 years from International Paper.  He enjoyed a long retirement of productive vegetable gardening, playing cards, traveling to Florida, and being with family. Visitation will be held at St. Margaret Mary Church, 1830 W Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, 45239 on Friday, June 7 from 10 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Donations may be made to St. Margaret Mary Church, woundedwarriorproject.org or a charity of choice. Condolences at hodappfuneralhome.com