Evelyn Mary Clark, age 86, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Highland Manor in Elko, Nevada. The oldest of four children of Robert C & Adlee Wilson Clark, she was born July 10, 1921 on the family farm in Wichita County, Kansas. She attended one0room schools, one year of high school in Leoti, Kansas, where she graduated sharing valedictorian honors with another student. She earned the Rebecca Dubs Scholarship and enrolled at Emporia State College. College work alternated with teaching through the next few years beginning with two-room schools at the fourth grade level. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University in 1950, and a Masters Degree in Psychology of the Mentally Challenged from Emporia State in 1956. A total of six years were spent teaching challenged students(five in Kansas and one in Nevada) although any child in need of extra help was always given special attention. She was a lifetime member of N.E.A.
Going to the dry Southwest to relieve allergies, she taught two years in Socorro, New Mexico and three years in White Pine County, Nevada before serving two and a half years as Girl Scout advisor for leaders in White Pine and Elko areas. Her last 12 years of teaching were in Elko County rural schools including Montello, Currie, O'Neil and Jackpot. Evelyn taught for thirty-two years, fifteen in Kansas, Two in New Mexico and fifteen in Nevada. She also served as a substitute teacher and tutor since her retirement . Evelyn joined the Catholic Church as a young woman and always participated in church activities, including Sunday school for three years and assisting other teachers. Living in rural areas meant driving sixty miles or more to attend church. Since retirement she has served on the hospital, nursing home and shut-in visiting committee.
She was an active member of the Civil Air Patrol for fifteen years and often worked with the cadets. She became a member of the Business and Professional Women in 1949 and served as President in Socorro, new Mexico, Ely and Wells, Nevada and as district director in Eastern Nevada and as State Recording Secretary. Evelyn Assisted author Kathleen Dalzell with the Dalzell Phonics books, doing much of the lettering and copying. Her other hobbies included writing club news for newspapers, writing letter, gardening and photography. Other former organization include Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Retired Public Employees of Nevada, Women of St. Joseph, Secular Franciscans and A.A.R.P.
Evelyns survivors include two sisters- Barbara Clark of Liberal, Kansas and Margaret Koestel of Grand Junction, Colorado. A sister in law- Marilyn Armstrong of Sun City, Arizona. Six nieces and nephews, fourteen great nieces and nephews and five great great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Robert W. Clark and a nephew Richard Allen Clark.
A vigil service were held at Burn's Memorial Gardens on July 16, 2008 in Elko, Nevada. Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. July 19, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elko, Nevada. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2008 at Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas with Father Benjamin Martin officiating. Memorials may be given to the women of St. Joseph or Highland Hospice in Elko Nevada. Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas is in charge of local arrangements