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Irene C. Clark
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October 30, 1922 ~ March 12, 2013 |
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March 15, 2013 |
 On
Tuesday, March 12, at the age of 90, Irene C.
Clark, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great
grandmother, aunt and friend, went to her
eternal home. Funeral services will be held at 2
p.m. Saturday March 16, at the Free Methodist
Church in Bonners Ferry, with internment
following in Grandview Cemetery.
Irene was born on October 30, 1922, in Alto, New
Mexico, where the family lived for only a short
time before making their way to Gettysburg,
South Dakota, and then to Mobridge, South
Dakota. It was in Mobridge that Irene met
Leonard Clark and they began dating.
After graduation from high school she moved to
California to live with her sister, Doris.
Leonard was quick to follow. They were married
April 25, 1942, and so began their lifelong love
affair. Their first daughter, Diana Fae, was
born a year later just before Leonard was
drafted into the army.
Irene took business schooling and was employed
during the war years. Working as a secretary,
she was proud of her skill at taking short hand
and operating the latest business machines.
Following the war, two more children came along.
Linda Kay and Chris Leonard were born to
complete their family. The family resided in
Long Beach, California. During these years,
Irene worked occasionally. Her favorite job was
selling “World Book Encyclopedia." Going door to
door, lugging her case, she couldn’t wait to see
who was behind the next door.
While living in California, they began to long
to return to their small town roots. Leonard, a
printer by trade, found a job with the Bonners
Ferry Herald and the family, less married
daughter Diana, moved to Bonners Ferry in 1966.
Never having seen Bonners Ferry or even been in
the State of Idaho, they never regretted their
move.
Irene worked for a short time in the community.
Many may know her from her job as a bank teller
at the old Bank of Idaho downtown, or perhaps as
the secretary for dentist Dr. Smith.
Shortly after arriving in Bonners Ferry, Irene
met the love of her life. She had married the
love of her life for her time on earth, but met
the love of her life for eternity when she came
to know Jesus Christ. She was never much
interested in gardening, cooking, or sewing. Her
passion was getting to know Christ, more. Her
collection of books, cassette tapes, research
material, long hours spent in prayer, and
faithful church attendance are testimony to the
depth of relationship that grew over the years.
Irene is preceded in death by her mother and
father, brother Claude, sister Doris, husband
Leonard, and grandson Christopher.
She is survived by daughters Diana West of Long
Beach, California, and Linda Bassett of Post
Falls, son Chris Clark of Bonners Ferry,
son-in-law Bob Bassett, and daughter-in-law
Larrie Clark (Hoglan). She has nine living
grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Irene was devoted to her “sweetheart” husband
until his passing after 63 years of marriage.
She loved her children, her grand and great
grandchildren. She was gentle, quiet, and full
of peace. She lived in her own home alone after
Leonard’s death. After her last illness it
became clear she could no longer live alone, she
chose to move onto her eternal home for a sweet
reunion with her “sweethearts.” |
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