Patricia Hazel (Brooks) Clark exchanged her earthly home for her heavenly home on Saturday, Oct 13, 2012 at approximately 9:20 am. She was 87 richly-lived years old. She was welcomed there by her Savior, as well as her parents, William (Harry) and Adelaide Brooks, her husband, Duewaine Clark and her four sisters, Phyllis Pfahler, Elizabeth Penrose, Bernice Hartung and her twin, Priscilla Strong. She left behind a lifetime of precious memories with her family: her four daughters, Shirley Carpenter, Sheryl Frahm, Barbara Flory and Beverly Rowe, her son, Jeffrey Clark, and their families, which include 14 grandchildren and 7 (soon to be 8) great-grandchildren! This weekend, on Saturday October 20, we will all come together – children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – to honor her well-lived life. We would be honored to have you join us for that celebration. From 1-3 pm we will have a viewing at her church, Plymouth Church of the Brethren, Plymouth, IN with a special Lions Club tribute at 2:30. The memorial service will be at 3 pm followed by interment at Fair Cemetery, North Liberty. The Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
Mom began life in Paso Robles, California, the daughter of an emigrant British plumber. From the very outset, she was always so practical! As a young teenager, she asked her father to teach her his plumbing business and also worked at a local service station (at a time when it was very unusual for girls to show an interest in mechanics). When World War II broke out, she and her sister worked for the Army, driving motorcycles, trucks and Jeeps around the base to be serviced – a skill she would recall years later by becoming a school bus driver for the Union-North School Corporation. In 1944, she met our Dad, Duewaine, at an American Legion Hall dance in Templeton. He was stationed at Camp Roberts – the same camp where Mom was working. They were married the following year, on April 21, 1945, a few months before he shipped out to the Philippines – leaving behind a pregnant Mom! Mom did what she has always done best – persevere. Whether that meant sharing a converted chicken coop with her twin, where they shared a refrigerator with the landlord, who had no qualms about stealing food from them! Or finding a converted garage with no bathroom and no running water (with cloth diapers and newborn twins, Shirley and Sheryl, no less!) Mom always did what had to be done – of course it wasn’t always easy, but Mom never minded. Nothing was too much, when it came to family. A belief she lived out every day of her life. After the war, the base closed and the young couple packed all their belongings and their infant twin daughters and moved back to Indiana in their 1940 two-door Ford coupe, where they built their new lives and a new house to match. Dad took over his father’s carpentry business and before long, Barbara had joined the family, followed a few years later by Beverly and finally the only son, Jeffrey. Mom and Dad were active in Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, North Liberty for many years and they both also served with the Lions club auxiliary. Mom was an active Lions member up until the time of her death. She was a recipient of the WP Woods Fellowship Award in 2007, the highest honor bestowed by Lions of Indiana. Mom loved to bowl. She and Dad were involved in leagues at Albert’s Bowling Lanes in LaPaz and Chippewa Lanes in South Bend and they traveled to tournaments all over the country. After Dad’s passing, she continued to bowl on women‘s leagues at Quick’s Lanes in Plymouth, until a few months before her death.
Trees changing color in autumn – something Mom did not experience growing up in coastal California – was part of what she loved most about northern Indiana. So after Dad passed, she built a cozy little house on a quiet side road in the woods, where she could watch the deer and birds and enjoy the trees she loved so much. Anytime family or friends would stop by, they’d find it a welcoming place. Mom was always quick to feed you, pour an extra glass of wine, show you her latest crocheting project or pull out a deck of cards. (And usually win, too!) More than anything, she loved spending time with her family. She was very proud of them and would tell anyone who would listen of their latest achievements. And with a family her size, she had plenty to tell! She never had a bigger smile on her face than when her house was full of family, her cup was full of coffee (or wine) and the air was full of laughter. This weekend when we gather together, there will be coffee, wine, stories, cards, laughter and tears. Most importantly, there will be family. Nothing could honor her memory more.
We love you and miss you.
Your Family:
Shirley (Robert – deceased) Carpenter
Sheryl and Ron Frahm. Jenny and Dave Barrett, Laura, Rachel and Amanda. Chad and Jen Frahm, John and Kate. Mark Frahm.
Barbara and Alan Flory. Matt Flory. Tym and Kristen Flory and Amelia.
Beverly and Larry Rowe. Wendy and Eric Teall (and expecting…?). Tony and Beth Rowe and Clark.
Jeffrey and Dawn Clark. Danica, Jeffrey, Deniecia, Delaiah, Damarah, Dominica and Davenna Clark.
Contributions in Mom’s memory can be made to the Lakeville Lions Club or Plymouth Church of the Brethren.
Sharry (Truax) Kinney says
To Pat\’s children and their families.
I just wanted to express my sincere sympathy to you on the loss of your Mother and Grandmother.
I have good memories of \”Youth\” parties held in your home. Your Mom was a sweet lady.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Jim and Sharry Kinney
Steve Reese says
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your mother. We\’ll be praying for you.
M Murdick says
Dear Shirley and Sheryl: Sorry to hear of your mother\’s home going. I know she will be missed ad always fondly remembered.
May God give you a special measure of grace and strength and the assurance that you will see her again.
Blessings,
\”Mickey\” Murdick
Austin says
It has been my pleasure to know the family of Patricia\’s youngest son, Jeffery, for the last few years; and I am very thankful to have been blessed by the godly foundation that she worked to instill (and God blessed with) into her family. Her legacy truly lives on in the lives of her family, and I thank the Lord for His work and the beautiful lives of His servants, the children and grandchildren of Patricia Clark. I look forward to meeting her one day.
Jennifer Frahm says
What a beautiful tribute to a life well-lived. Grandma Clark had such a beautiful, positive spirit. It was a joy and privilege to know her, and to join her wonderful family 12 years ago. We will look forward to seeing all of you to celebrate her life together this weekend.
Betty Wilcockson says
Beverly, I sm so sorry for the loss of yout Mother. Praying for you and all of your family!
Deb Pickerell says
Just wanted to let you girls know how sorry I am to hear about the passing of your mom. I enjoyed bowling with her many, many years ago. She had such a wit and was fun to talk to. May God be with your family during this time.
Donald & Florence Ingle says
We share great memories of times shared with your mom and dad
.
Martha (Root) Tyler says
You are in my thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful life you mother led. She was my kids school bus driver for several years.
Bonnie Roberts (Richard) says
I have a lot of memories of your Mom, all good ones. I love the story of her life and will always remember the good times. She is in a better place, with her family in heaven. I will keep all of the family in my prayers !!
Joan Joyce says
To the Clark Family,
Your obituary was so interesting and a wonderful tribute to a strong and loving mother. I send my sympathy to all of you, but especially to Barb and Al. You have enough good memories to last your lifetime.
God Bless.
LINDA STARR says
To Shirley, Sheryl, Barb, Jeff and Bev and your families,
Your mom was all wool and a yard wide, and she loved you all so much! She never tooted her own horn much, but she could do just about anything! I learned to appreciate her when I taught Sunday School in the Good Samaritan Class. I learned a lot from that bunch of \”old girls\”, and I say that with a lot of admiration! We will miss her and her quiet strength! I can only imagine what she\’s doing right now!!!
God bless you all as you adjust to living without her.
Linda Starr
Cathy & John Gomila says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. Wish I could be there Saturday and join in your celebration of Aunt Pat\’s life. She will be missed.
Barb Klapp says
My condolences about the loss of your Mother, Grandmother, and friend. She was a wonderful person who truly enjoyed Family, Faith, and Life. She will be missed in Church, but greeted in Heaven. It was a privelage to have known her.
She will be greatly missed.
Loretta Chrobot says
Shirley and Sheryl,
We were sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom and want you to know of our prayers for you and your family. I lost my Mom Sept. 2009 at age 93, and Randy\’s Mom died this Jan. at the age of 96. I guess we were all lucky to have many happy years with our Moms.
God bless,
Loretta and Randy Chrobot
Nancy(Ingle)Paulk says
Many great childhood memories with the Clark\’s. My sympathy to the family.
Sharry (Truax) Kinney says
To Pat\’s children and their families.
I just wanted to express my sincere sympathy to you on the loss of your Mother and Grandmother.
I have good memories of \”Youth\” parties held in your home. Your Mom was a sweet lady.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Jim and Sharry Kinney
Steve Reese says
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your mother. We\’ll be praying for you.
M Murdick says
Dear Shirley and Sheryl: Sorry to hear of your mother\’s home going. I know she will be missed ad always fondly remembered.
May God give you a special measure of grace and strength and the assurance that you will see her again.
Blessings,
\”Mickey\” Murdick
Austin says
It has been my pleasure to know the family of Patricia\’s youngest son, Jeffery, for the last few years; and I am very thankful to have been blessed by the godly foundation that she worked to instill (and God blessed with) into her family. Her legacy truly lives on in the lives of her family, and I thank the Lord for His work and the beautiful lives of His servants, the children and grandchildren of Patricia Clark. I look forward to meeting her one day.
Jennifer Frahm says
What a beautiful tribute to a life well-lived. Grandma Clark had such a beautiful, positive spirit. It was a joy and privilege to know her, and to join her wonderful family 12 years ago. We will look forward to seeing all of you to celebrate her life together this weekend.
Betty Wilcockson says
Beverly, I sm so sorry for the loss of yout Mother. Praying for you and all of your family!
Deb Pickerell says
Just wanted to let you girls know how sorry I am to hear about the passing of your mom. I enjoyed bowling with her many, many years ago. She had such a wit and was fun to talk to. May God be with your family during this time.
Donald & Florence Ingle says
We share great memories of times shared with your mom and dad
.
Martha (Root) Tyler says
You are in my thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful life you mother led. She was my kids school bus driver for several years.
Bonnie Roberts (Richard) says
I have a lot of memories of your Mom, all good ones. I love the story of her life and will always remember the good times. She is in a better place, with her family in heaven. I will keep all of the family in my prayers !!
Joan Joyce says
To the Clark Family,
Your obituary was so interesting and a wonderful tribute to a strong and loving mother. I send my sympathy to all of you, but especially to Barb and Al. You have enough good memories to last your lifetime.
God Bless.
LINDA STARR says
To Shirley, Sheryl, Barb, Jeff and Bev and your families,
Your mom was all wool and a yard wide, and she loved you all so much! She never tooted her own horn much, but she could do just about anything! I learned to appreciate her when I taught Sunday School in the Good Samaritan Class. I learned a lot from that bunch of \”old girls\”, and I say that with a lot of admiration! We will miss her and her quiet strength! I can only imagine what she\’s doing right now!!!
God bless you all as you adjust to living without her.
Linda Starr
Cathy & John Gomila says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. Wish I could be there Saturday and join in your celebration of Aunt Pat\’s life. She will be missed.
Barb Klapp says
My condolences about the loss of your Mother, Grandmother, and friend. She was a wonderful person who truly enjoyed Family, Faith, and Life. She will be missed in Church, but greeted in Heaven. It was a privelage to have known her.
She will be greatly missed.
Loretta Chrobot says
Shirley and Sheryl,
We were sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom and want you to know of our prayers for you and your family. I lost my Mom Sept. 2009 at age 93, and Randy\’s Mom died this Jan. at the age of 96. I guess we were all lucky to have many happy years with our Moms.
God bless,
Loretta and Randy Chrobot
Nancy(Ingle)Paulk says
Many great childhood memories with the Clark\’s. My sympathy to the family.