Jo Ann Clark

Jo Ann Clark was born on January 25, 1942 at the farm home of her parents, Marvin and Alta (Frederick) Stubbedieck near Otoe, NE.  While at a young age, much to her mother’s dismay, Jo Ann developed a love for the outdoors and especially flowers that she picked from the pastures and brought home.  That love of growing things continued all her life.  Folks around Hamburg may not have known where she lived, but if one mentioned the house with all the flowers, everyone knew.

Jo Ann attended District 11 Country School, which was a one room school and then Dunbar, NE High School.  She was a member of the Dunbar Presbyterian Church where when she was 16 singing in the choir, a handsome, dashing young man entered in his Army uniform.  She knew at that moment, Sterling Clark was the man she was going to marry, even if he didn’t know it yet.  Later that year, on September 14, 1958 they were wed.  Jo Ann and Sterling celebrated 47 years together until his passing in November of 2005.  They lived on the farm near Dunbar where they raised three sons.  Jo Ann taught the boys how to cook and instilled in them her love of nature and growing plants, even teaching them to make Hollyhock dolls.

Jo Ann was an active member in the little Dunbar church, volunteering for Sunday School and Willing Workers.  She worked many years for Culligan in Nebraska City.  Jo Ann also worked for Pizza Hut, did home care for Marv and Toots Vollertsen and was a Direct Care Staff member for Nishna Productions, where her most recent clients affectionately called her Grandma.  Jo Ann’s life was dedicated to family and friends, always putting others’ needs ahead of her own.  Jo Ann and Sterling moved from Dunbar to Hamburg, IA in 1991.  Jo Ann became involved in United Trinity Church, serving on various committees and especially loved volunteering as a Table Parent for the Youth Club Program where she influenced the lives of many young people.  Jo Ann continued her loved of flowers in Hamburg, planting and tending beds of beautiful blooms.  It always amazed her when folks told her they would drive by just to see the results of her hard work.  Jo Ann loved to cook and bake, especially at Christmas, sending boxes to grandkids in Arizona and California.

Jo Ann loved her family.  She was always involved in their lives.  She was always there, a constant presence in all her sons’ activities.  Her involvement didn’t stop with her sons, she took great interest in all of her nieces, nephews, siblings and extended family.  To say she was the rock, the glue of her family would be a vast understatement.  Her birthday and Christmas cards will be sadly missed by those who received them.  Jo Ann will be mourned deeply by those she left behind but they can find comfort and tremendous joy in knowing she is now in heaven with her Lord and with the love of her life, Sterling, holding hands once again.  She made the world better for all who were blessed to know her and Jo Ann is really not gone because each of us will forever carry a part of her with us until we see her again.  God blessed us all with Jo Ann Clark.  She made the world more beautiful by her caring acts and her flowers.  May we all strive to follow her example of love, patience, faith in God and service to others.

Jo Ann is survived by her sons:  Jeff Clark (Fiancé Dani Chavez) of Hamburg, IA, Michael Clark (Sherri) of Red Oak, IA and Wade Clark (Samone) of Yucaipa, CA; four grandchildren:  Ryan Clark and Ally Clark both of Phoenix, AZ and Graesyn Clark and Liam Clark both of Yucaipa, CA; sister Peggy Crook (Leonard) of Nebr. City, NE; aunt: Leanna Carr of Lincoln, NE; sisters-in-law:  Mona Stalnaker of Fredonia, KS, Sally Stubbendieck of Lincoln, NE and Sheri Stubbendieck of Weeping Water, NE; brothers-in-law:  Mick Stromer of Northglenn, CO and Dennis Yank of Pleasant Dale, NE; Mary and Keith Hansen; other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Sterling Clark; her parents; infant son Steven Clark; siblings:  Wendell, Dinene and Howard; brothers and sisters-in-law:  Linda Yank, Earl Stalnaker and Barbara and Larry Haynes; beloved dogs:  Bandit and Husker.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at United Trinity Church in Hamburg, IA.

The family will greet friends at the church, prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Condolences may be left at www.gudefuneralhomes.com.  Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, IA is in charge of arrangements.

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