Joanne A. Clark's Obituary
Joanne Agartha Clark, 91, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024. Born on May 16, 1933, in Jefferson, Wisconsin, she moved with her family to the Pacific Northwest as a child and lived in the region for the remainder of her life.
Joanne is survived by her daughter Aggie Clark and son Frank Clark, his wife Paula, and her grandchildren Drew Clark and his wife Leah, Danielle Meder, and Thomas Meder. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Julia, Ashton, and Luca Clark. Joanne is now reunited in heaven with her loving husband James “Vern” Clark, her sister Beverly Nelson, her brother Donald Kroening, and her parents, Agartha and Joseph Kroening.
She was a proud graduate of Lincoln High School in Tacoma and the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, where she developed the skills and passion that would guide her career and shape the lives of those she touched.
Joanne's career as a registered nurse spanned over 30 years. She took special pride in her work, giving each patient personal attention and care. Early in her career, while tending to a young and handsome army patient, that she met the love of her life, Vern. Together, they built a life full of love, raised a family and made lifelong memories.
Living more than 90 years provided Joanne the time to enjoy a range of activities. In her earlier years, she loved to go out dancing with Vern and could be found on the microphone with the band late in the evening. On St. Patrick’s Day, her favorite holiday, you’d find them both dressed head to toe in green, with Joanne drinking a green martini and sporting a “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” button. During the rare times she didn’t feel well, she would turn to her “magic elixir” to cure what ailed her. Her opinion was that if her scotch didn’t kill the bug, it could have her.
For many years, Joanne and Vern owned a one-of-a-kind van that her daughter nicknamed the “Cruising Love Vessel,” complete with a knight-in-shining-armor paint job, shag carpet, a leather couch, and wet bar. Joanne was convinced their precious dog, Chi-Chi, was a mix of chihuahua and wild fox, but we’ll never know for sure. If they met you at the airport on a holiday, they would both be dressed head-to-toe in holiday attire, spreading cheer to tired and stressed travelers.
Joanne had a green thumb, nurturing orchids, Christmas cacti, and just about any type of plant to grow and blossom. Her creative outlets included knitting, crocheting, and plastic canvas, with a yarn collection that, although beyond huge, was often missing that special color she needed for her next project. Most recently at her Kings Manor residence, her plastic canvas decorations brightened her door and room as she celebrated the seasons.
Joanne had a particularly close relationship with her sister, Beverly. They could talk, share, and giggle the afternoon away with ease. Joanne adopted the people who came into her life and treated them like family. She’s been lovingly described as a strong and feisty woman who possessed a great sense of humor, a joy for life, and who could make you feel like a part of her extended family just minutes after meeting her.
As an active member of Faith Lutheran Evangelical Church in Tacoma, Joanne found her community amongst the congregation. She could be heard singing the alto portion of the hymns, harmonizing with the rest of the congregation. Her faith was strong throughout her life.
From her early days through later in life, you could often find Joanne sporting bleached blond hair, whether it was her own dyed locks or a wig. She was not shy in saying that she felt blonds had more fun, so she needed to be one. Joanne enjoyed each phase of her life, and regardless of age, she lived life unapologetically her way.
A memorial service honoring Joanne's life will be held on October 1, 2024, at 3 pm at Mountain View Cemetery in the Garden Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made in Joanne’s memory to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Des Moines Area Food Bank.
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