Dolores Clark

Dolores M. (Denison) Clark was born in Randolph, Kansas on October 19, 1923. She was the sixth child in a family of seven children, born to Reuben and Mabel (Nygren) Denison, who farmed in the Blue River Valley north of Manhattan, Kansas. When she was a small child, Dolores’ family was severely challenged by the death of her father. The family moved to Randolph, Kansas, where God blessed them with the support of many. Dolores and her brothers and sisters were doted on by their grandfather, uncles, and other loving family members. With this support, her mother Mabel raised the entire family by herself through the dark times of the Great Depression. Dolores frequently spoke of her loving mother and what a wonderful person she was.

Dolores and her family moved to Salina, Kansas, after their home town was condemned to make way for the construction of Tuttle Creek Dam and Reservoir. There she completed a degree at Brown Mackie Business College. The outbreak of World War II resulted in Dolores traveling to Washington, DC, where she worked as a secretary to General Staff Officers assigned to the Pentagon. The girl from a small Swedish community in Kansas found herself using her award-winning office skills in the largest office building on the planet.

Washington, DC was also a place of providence. Years earlier, Dolores met a young man while attending Camp Wood, a Covenant Church camp nestled in the Flinthills of Kansas. His name was Maurice Clark. A year older than she, “Maurie” lived in New Gottland, Kansas, the oldest son of a Swedish farming couple, Joe and Nan (Wann) Clark. In 1944, Maurie was a 22-year-old fighter pilot who also came to Washington, DC on his way to join the fight in Europe. The pier on which the service men’s gear was stored burned to the ground, stranding Maurie in Washington. Maurice and Dolores were given the opportunity to spend much time together as a result. Before his departure, Maurice asked Dolores if she would wait for him – she said, “Yes!” After the war, the couple was married on January 5, 1946, and enjoyed a rich, loving marriage of sixty-two years.

Dolores’ faith impacted every area of her life. She gave her life to Christ as a child, and spent the rest of her days as a living example of Jesus’ love to us. By her example, she taught her children that all we have is a gift from God, that we are to live our lives for Him, and that everyone is precious to the Lord. She wanted everyone to know Jesus’ message of salvation and mercy.

Dolores was an amazing woman with many talents and enjoyed using her gift of hospitality. Dolores could whip up dinner for twenty with almost no notice and seemingly with no effort. Her cooking was legendary. She took great joy in growing beautiful plants and flowers. Music was especially dear to her heart and she had a beautiful singing voice and loved to harmonize. She entertained friends and family playing requested tunes by ear on the piano. She was intelligent and generous with her time with family, friends, church, and others.

She had a wonderful sense of humor and was very fun-loving. Dolores was known to bake golf balls in cupcakes, jump out of the closet to scare her husband, push an unsuspecting brother-in-law into the bushes, buy gag gifts at Christmas, secretly spike the preacher’s bowl of homemade ice cream with salt, and spread laughter in her household.

More than anything, Dolores was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother.   She was quick with a kind word, taught by example, was slow to anger and so very patient. Dolores lived for the time she could have her family come to the farm for picnics, homemade ice cream, cookies and coffee parties. She always had the red glass candy jar full of M&Ms, and a folding chair tucked away for any unexpected visitors.   Her family and friends loved her dearly… She was everyone’s mother and will be missed all.

Dolores M. Denison Clark passed away on February 22, 2016. Dolores was the last living sibling from the Denison family and was preceded in death by her husband Maurice Clark in 2008. She is survived by her children Michael J. Clark and wife Rachel of Grapevine, Texas; Bradley E. Clark and wife Mary of Olathe, Kansas; Jennifer G. Veer and husband Terry of Newton, Kansas; Spencer L. Clark and wife Sherry of Newton, Kansas; Shelly D. Carlson and husband Calvin of Lindsborg, Kansas; Barry A. Clark and wife Dina of Manhattan, Kansas; sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her niece Janelle (Denison) Schulz, and nephews Jeff and Joe Anderson.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Lindsborg Convenant Church Lindsborg, Kansas. Visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Friday February 26^th at Petersen Funeral Home and 9:30 a.m. to service time Saturday at Lindsborg Covenant Church. Burial will be in the New Gottland Cemetery rural McPherson, Kansas

Memorials are suggested to Eastside United Methodist Church or Mission Aviation Fellowship to the benefit of Holly Nace in care of Petersen Funeral Home.