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LOTTIE MARIE (HALL) CLARK

LOTTIE MARIE (HALL) CLARK

Lottie Marie (Hall) Clark was granted kind admittance into the heavenly kingdom on Wednesday, September 29, 2021.

0ne hundred years ago on March 18, 1921, Lottie Marie Hall was born to Emmett Lee and Mary Lottie (Hamilton) Hall near Newark Mo. She attended most of her school years in Plevna Mo but graduated from Edina High School in 1939. She excelled academically and played basketball, ran track with the boys and participated in band playing both violin and baritone horn.

Marie learned to work hard and mastered repurposing and frugality before it was vogue. We never had much, but we sure had plenty hung on a plaque in our farmhouse kitchen. Her earthly home was her haven, spending her time gardening, sewing, cooking (fried chicken, sweet rolls, iced sugar cookies, and noodles to name a delicious few). Nurturing and spending time with her family meant everything to Marie. Time spent with the family at the Mississippi River cabin playing cards, dominoes, and working puzzles always brought her delight.

After waiting thirty-nine months for the love of her life, Lawrence James Clark, to return from WWII, they married on May 3, 1946, and farmed on the Clark Family Farm where they spent nearly seventy years. Together they raised four children: Larry (Cleva) Clark, Lou Ann “Annie” (Jerry) Ogilvie, Regina “Gina” (Jerry) Morin, and Jim “Doc” (Kyle) Clark. A niece, Dee Ann Palmer (Butch) Roths, was considered a 5th child. In time, 15 precious grandchildren were added to the mix: Mary Ann (Greg) Rotert, Matt (Bobbi) Clark, David (Lisa) Clark, Katie Rucinski and fiancé Dave Winter, Emily (Ryan) McLouth, Samuel (Jen) Myers, Nick Myers, Mary Morin, Andrea Morin, Alex (Matt) Reel, Fr. Paul Clark, Jonathan Clark, Joshua (Kendra) Clark, Laura (Keenan) Gillaspy, and Natalie Clark. Their joy was tripled with twenty-one great-grandchildren: John, Patrick, Teddy, Carli, Levi, Jack, Dylan, Kara, Claire, Rowen, Connor, Parker, Agnes, Elijah, Josephine, Thomas, Arthur, Diana, Darcy, Ellie, and Fulton.

Marie worked at the Knox County Courthouse as well as courthouses in Adair, Macon, and Shelby Counties, serving in the Extension Offices, the Soil Lab, and Abstract Office before retiring at the age of 75. Through her work in the Abstract Office, she knew every inch of the county and enjoyed taking rides on Sunday afternoon traveling the countryside. (We kids apologize publicly now for being such “whiners” about these rides. Please forgive us, Mom.) Marie had a quiet contentment about life, always finding good in everything and everyone. She never said an unkind word about anyone. Ever.

As a child, she was raised in the Baptist faith and was a member of Mount Salem Baptist Church in Newark Mo. She converted to Catholicism when she and Lawrence married. It was important to them that we prayed together as a family. Every night we knelt in family prayer, putting into practice what they believed so strongly – The family that prays together stays together.

Marie was loved by many and leaves behind a host of friends and numerous extended family members including three generations of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents, six siblings: Arthur William (Vada) Hall, Lester (Evia) Hall, Robert (Jane) Hall, Viola (Russell) Willey, Alma Dee (John) Daniel, and Bertha Jean Hall; four Clark family sisters- and brothers-in-law: Leona (Robert) Moore; Erma (Vince) Marsot, Edith (Bill) Welch, Rita (Louis) Miller; a nephew, Lester Leroy Hall, and a niece, Louise (Hall) Moyer.

Her family extends heartfelt thanks to the Knox County Nursing Home for truly loving Marie and providing such good care until she was able to return to her sweetheart, family, and friends in their heavenly home.

Father Paul Clark officiated for the Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, October 1, 2021. in the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edina, MO. Music was provided by Jim, Kyle and Natalie Clark, Katie Rucinski and Laura Clark.

Burial was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with Matt Clark, David Clark, Nick Myers, Jonathan Clark, Joshua Clark and Jack Rucinski as casket bearers.

To anyone wishing to express their love of Marie through monetary donations, please give to the St. Joseph Church Foundation or the Knox County Community Center.

Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.hudsonrimerfh. com