Lillian M Clark

Lillian M. Clark, 104, of Grand Forks, died January 18, 2023, after a stroke and hospital stay.

Lillian May Jefferies was born to Robert and Annie (Mehnke) Jefferies on May 15, 1918 on a farm just outside Niagara, ND. Robert was a tenant farmer of three consecutive farms, all near Niagara.

Lilly’s brother was Robert Jefferies (late of Colorado).  Her sisters were Florence Anderson (late of Michigan ND), and Edith Hass (late of Seattle Washington).  

As a younger child, Lilly tended to the indoor chores while her brother and sisters did the outdoor ones, with the exception of gathering eggs the chickens mistakenly laid all around the farm, and herding back her favorite cows Cocoa and Cherry each time they jumped the fence!  Her best friend Maudie Mootz, then Georgeson, lived a mile down the road.  The two either walked to school or went together on the sleigh all their childhood years.  

At Niagara two-room school, Lillian was at the top of her class (except for competition from her good friend Irma Herman). Lilly enjoyed glee club and Farmers Union youth club. She was twice winner of Grand Forks County Spelling Bee, the second time tying with her sister, Edith.

As a teen, Lilly enjoyed caring for her many nieces and nephews on the Niagara farm and in Michigan. She always talked about that happy time in her life.

Lillian went on to graduate from Petersburg High School where she met Verl Lee Clark of Petersburg, ND over a spilled chemistry class experiment.  Verl helped Lillian clean up the spilled chemicals and never looked back.  He continued supporting Lil’ then and through 71 years of marriage which began on October 14,1943.  Mr. Clark passed in 2013.

The Clarks made their first home on Elizabeth Street in Denver Colorado. Mrs. Clark enjoyed working as an elementary school secretary and Verl served his country in the US Army teaching ex-ray tech at Fitzsimons Hospital.  This was during World War II.

Immediately after the war, the Clarks moved to Grand Forks. They rented on Cottonwood and Walnut Streets and finally purchased 1808 N. 4th Street about 1947.  Newly at home there, Mrs. Clark was welcomed at a N 4th St. women’s coffee party and featured with praise in the Grand Forks Herald society pages.  Together Lil’ and Verl watched the neighborhood birds, and tended a large garden in the back yard of 1808. They lived in that Riverside Park home until the 1997 flood. 

For many years, Mrs. Clark was employed at the University Book Store, then on the basement level of Budge Hall.  She worked under Milton Wennerstrom and specialized in textbooks, connecting each UND students with his/her books between 1947-1958.  Lillian has always said that the UND bookstore was the “best job ever.”  While she worked at the bookstore, Verl studied visual art under painter Paul Barr at UND earning his masters degree, and then began teaching industrial arts and drivers education at Central High School, until his retirement thirty-seven years later.

In 1958, Lil’ and Verl welcomed into the world their daughter, Eileen Diane, and taught her  music.  Lillian sang with and to the family each day.  From 1947 to present, the Clarks were members of Federated Church, downtown Grand Forks, which was physically replaced by urban renewal in the 1970’s, but the congregation always continued to thrive, now known as Family of God ELCA/UCC on the point in East Grand Forks.  From 1960-1985, Lillian was recording secretary for the Federated women’s circle, guild, and church council. 

She taught second grade Sunday school and helped with the famous church fundraisers: The Soup Supper and monthly Birthday Luncheons.

In her retirement years, Lil’ supported her husband as secretary for “55 Alive”, Verl’s refresher driver’s ed course for Grand Forks seniors in conjunction with the GFPD.  The couple enjoyed attending meetings of the UND Alumnae Association and The Petersburg ND coffee group led by Ouradnicks and other Petersburg pillars.  

In her 90’s Lillian gave daily care and support to her husband who was in declining health, as together they enjoyed watching their balcony’s birds and cheering UND hockey games, and NHL Penguins and Blackhawks on TV.  Throughout the years she was given great help from niece Janette Moen, friends Annella and Steve Winger, and nurses Maggie, Jenna, Jamie, and Felicia.  

At 104 years of age, she welcomed visits from nieces Janet Buckingham, JoAnn Hauger, and assistance from Roxane Gilbertson, caregiver and owner of Travel Support Services.

Lillian was especially excited to still be on her game for the first two years of Seattle Kraken hockey!

Lillian May Clark was remembered at a family prayer service at Amundson Funeral Home on Jan. 24 and at her Niagara graveside ceremony on May 24.  She would have turned 105 on May 15, 2023. 

Lillian is survived by her daughter Eileen and over one thousand pages of handwritten memoirs in addition to notations of favorite poems and songs.

Funeral service, open to all, will be held on July 6 at 4:30pm at Family of God ELCA/UCC Church in East Grand Forks, followed by Cafe Lilly musical event. Cards may be sent to Amundson Funeral Home.