Marlene M. Clark

Marlene Margaret (Kelly) Clark, 83, Barnard, died unexpectedly after a brief illness on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. She was born on May 6, 1939 at their home west of Barnard to Clyde and Hazel Kelly, an unexpected surprise coming an hour and five minutes after the birth of her twin sister. This was the same home where her father was born. She attended school in Barnard, KS graduating with the class of 1957. She then attended Stormont Vail School of Nursing in Topeka where she earned her RN degree. Nine days after graduating, she married Bill Clark on September 11,1960 at the First United Methodist Church in Barnard. This marriage was blessed with four children, who she showered with love, words of encouragement, and an unending blanket of prayer. Visitors to the farm were treated like another family member and knew that they could count on a good meal or snack. She would often share homemade cookies or jam and a note of encouragement with so many others in the community. In her kitchen window was an ever changing list of family, friends, and acquaintances that she prayed for as she completed her daily task. Her grandchildren were her greatest blessing and she went out of her way to make each one of them feel cherished. A highlight for them was the annual Christmas Program, orchestrated by Grandma with costumes, a script featuring the nativity story, and lighting of advent candles (plus a few other candles so everyone got an equal turn). She was delighted with the birth of each new great grandchild and was so happy that they carried on this tradition of the Christmas Program. Starting with their 40th anniversary, Bill and Marlene took the entire family on a vacation to Colorado every five years. What a blessing when Marlene and her four children spent a week last fall reminiscing and making new memories on a trip celebrating what would have been her wedding anniversary. She was a lifetime member of the Barnard United Methodist Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. Marlene served as a pianist and spent enjoyable hours practicing her music. She was preparing one of her favorites, Amazing Grace, for her upcoming turn on Sunday. In addition to her duties as a pianist, she was also a youth group leader and was active in the UMW. She especially enjoyed children and supported the Vacation Bible School program in many capacities and served as the Club Leader for Salt Creek 4-H Club for many years. After graduation from Stormont Vail she worked as an RN in both Ottawa and Lincoln County Hospitals, retiring in 2006. She was known for her caring bedside manner and kind and gentle nature. She was also an involved and supportive farm and ranch wife working alongside her husband, Bill, through the many challenges of production agriculture in helping to build their dreams of an ongoing seedstock cattle operation. Left to celebrate her life are her children; daughter Feona and Ken Attaway of Hockley, TX; son Leland and Jan Clark of Barnard, KS; daughter Gelane and Tom Cavalli of Lincoln, KS; daughter Arleta and Chris McManaman of Topeka, KS; and AFS son, Tavish Scott of Scotland. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Keila (Tanner) Leake; Kelsie (Randy) Barta; Kara (Jordan) Erwin; Reed (Charli) McManaman; Kevin (Cassie) Cavalli; Meredith (Will) Johnson; Melissa (Aaron) Stewart; Quentin Clark; Kyle Cavalli; and Kiley McManaman; 9 great grandchildren; and her siblings, Jolene Brockway; and Kenneth (Reta Fae) Kelly; and in-laws Janice Gregg, Kent (Jonette) Clark; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two grandchildren, Jonathan Clark and Megan Clark. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 3, 2023, at the Barnard United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Milo Cemetery, Barnard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Barnard Vacation Bible School, Kansas Gelbvieh Junior Association, or a memorial of your choice.