Lucile Marie (Keller) Clark was the 3rd daughter born to Henry & Maude (Bassett) Keller, on September 17th, 1932, in rural Lebanon, KS. She passed away peacefully on July 7th, 2024, at 7:07 p.m. surrounded by her loving family.
Lucile grew up in the Odessa area, attending Esbon School and graduating in 1950. Lucile married her high school sweetheart, Edward Lewis Clark on December 24th, 1950. They spent a year in Hastings, NE before moving to a farm south of Lebanon where their five children were raised, Debra Beth, Dennis Edward, Shelly Jo, Randy Charles, and Douglas Robert.
In 1965 Lucile started work at the Jewell County Courthouse and was elected as the Jewell County Clerk from 1971-1975. She was an avid gardener. She loved her Iris beds and planted a huge vegetable garden every year, much to the dismay of her children. She was also passionate about sewing, making all her daughters’ dresses while they were growing up and she even made Shelly’s wedding dress along with all the bridesmaids’ dresses.
In 1975 Lucile & Ed moved to Esbon to their new home. They went to harvest and custom combined for 14 years. In the winter Lucile would work at Esbon Schools as a school “lunch lady”. Lucile also worked as a CNA in Mankato and Smith Center hospitals and nursing facilities, retiring when she was 80! Her love of sewing continued throughout her lifetime and through her late 80’s and into her 90’s she completed over 3,000 “t-shirt” diapers for babies in Zambia. She loved making tie blankets as well, and made sure her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and all the fur babies had at least one, if not multiples!
Lucile was also the local Avon lady for over 45 years, making friends all over the counties. Her home was full of Avon treasures, and she always had a gift for anyone that stopped in.
Her greatest love and joy were her grandchildren. She attended all their sporting events that she could and always had a snickers to hand out after the games. She kept all the newspaper clippings and programs from all the grandkids’ games and events. She cherished her little ones and as they grew older, there was always a new baby to hold and hug.
Every Labor Day all her kids, grandkids, and great-grands that could, traveled to her for the fun-filled holiday weekend. She loved hosting the entire family and always planned the Sunday picnic to host extended family as well! The littles and bigs will really miss this fun weekend.
Lucile’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew her. She had an endless love for feeding all and knew exactly what you liked and would have it ready for when you arrived. As we mourn Lucile, let us celebrate the light she brought into the world and the countless lives she touched. May her memories continue to inspire us all to show the love we have for one another. Lucile’s memory will forever live on in the hearts and stomachs of her family and friends. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Lucile was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Audrey Young and Joyce Ritter, her husband, Edward in 1991; her first-born son, Dennis Edward in 2015; and her first-born grandson, Tate Edward Findley in 1978.
Lucile is survived by her sister Charlotte Detwiler of Kensington, KS; her daughters Debra Clark of Liberty, MO; Shelly Findley of Hutchinson, KS; her sons Randy Clark of Abilene, KS; Doug (Kim) Clark of Emerald Isle, NC; daughter-in-law Cynthia Clark of Burr Oak, KS; Grandchildren, Marcus Findley (Emily Ernst) of Moundridge, KS; Laci (Ryan) Boyle of Wichita, KS; Maurice (Karina) Findley of Haslet, TX; Derek (Ashley) Clark of Superior, NE; Amanda (Jed) Hastings of Jamestown, ND; Megan (Todd) Peterson of Nickerson, KS; Tyler (Megan) Clark of Denver, CO; and Brianna Clark of Wentzville, MO; Great-Grandchildren, Colyn Findley, Kailey Findley, Lakyn Findley, Brenton Findley, Brycen Burkholder, McKenna Burkholder, Olivia Barkley, Dylan Barkley, Dylan Boyle, Dante Boyle, Drew Boyle, Daltyn Boyle, Ezra Findley, Kai Findley, Dayne Clark, Levi Clark, Kamdyn Hastings, Cristian Peterson, Austin Peterson, Montana Peterson, Harrison Clark, Evelyn Clark, and Arianna Clark. And Great-Great Grandchildren Carmynn Findley, and Waylon Findley.
A funeral service will take place on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Burr Oak Community Church with Lance McDowell officiating. Visitation will be held at Melby Mortuary from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Esbon Community Center or the Jewell County Hospital in care of Melby Mortuary, P.O. Box 384, Mankato, KS 69956.
