Claire Elaine Williamson, 63, of Clintonville, Wisconsin passed away at her home on December 3, 2023 after a long illness.  Her sister, Nance, and her brother Bill were at her side.  Claire, daughter of Donna(Odenborg) and John L. Williamson was born on November 23, 1960 in Clintonville.  She graduated from Clintonville High School in 1979 and went to University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, earning a degree in Dance Performance.  After graduating she co-owned a dance studio in Green Bay. She briefly attended University of Minnesota, but then transferred to SMU in Dallas, TX, where she earned a MFA in Dance from Meadows School of the Arts in 1986.  While in Dallas she began choreographing ,including dances for the Dallas Theater Center, as well as  a performance art piece in Deep Ellum, Dances with Turkeys.
Claire also worked with the developmentally handicapped in Dallas.  After a brief stint to Los Angeles, she  returned to Clintonville in the early 90’s.Claire helped look after her grandmother Ebba Odenborg and began teaching at Clintonville High School.  She choreographed and directed many shows there.  She was also, improbably, the technical director for the lighting and sound system.  Her teaching led her to work in Appleton at Renaissance School for the Arts, Kaleidescope and Appleton North.  Some of her shows included:  The Little Mermaid, A Christmas Carol, Guys and Dolls,  The King and I , Newsies, Phantom of the Opera and many others.
Claire also curled and had the distinction of never losing a mixed doubles match.

She is survived by her parents, John  and Donna Williamson, of Clintonville, WI; sister Nance Williamson Rhoads(Kurt Rhoads) of Garrison, NY; brother Bill Williamson(Lara Rubbelke) and nephews Jack and Tom Williamson of Roseville, MN; Aunt Karen(Odenborg) Elliot of Bossier City, LA and many cousins.  Preceding her in death is her sister Jean Williamson; her grandparents, Ebba and Sidney Odenborg and Ethel and Raymond Williamson; and her uncle and aunt Bob and Marie Williamson.

Claire’s love of dogs was profound, she rescued and cared for them as cherished members of her family.  In lieu of flowers, the family will create a memorial fund for the humane society.

A memorial gathering will take place on Monday December 11, 2023 at 10 am at Eberhardt - Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory (South Location, 299 S. Main Street) in Clintonville. A time of remembrance and sharing will begin at 11 am with a lunch following.  The family is grateful for the assistance and care provided by Unity Hospice. Eberhardtstevenson.com