Irene Clark, 90

On Tuesday March 12, Irene Clark, 90, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend went to her eternal home. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry with internment following in the Grandview Cemetery.

Irene was born on Oct. 30, 1922, in Alto, N. M., where the family lived for only a short time before making their way to Gettysburg, S. D., and then onto Mobridge, S.D. It was in Mobridge that Irene met Leonard Clark and they began dating.After graduation from high school she moved to California to live with her sister Doris. Leonard was quick to follow. They were married on April 25, 1942, and so began their lifelong love affair.

Their first daughter, Diana Fae was born a year later just before Leonard was drafted into the Army. Irene took business schooling and was employed during the war years. Working as a secretary, she was proud of her skill at taking short hand, and operating the latest business machines.

Following the war, two more children came along. Linda Kay and Chris Leonard were born to complete their family. The family resided in Long Beach, Calif. During these years, Irene worked occasionally. Her favorite job was selling World Book Encyclopedia. Going door to door, lugging her case, she couldn’t wait to see who was behind the next door. While living in California they began to long to return to their small town roots. Leonard, a printer by trade, found a job with the Bonners Ferry Herald and the family, less married daughter Diana, moved to Bonners Ferry in 1966. Never having seen Bonners Ferry or even been in Idaho, they never regretted their move.

Irene worked for a short time in the community. Many may know her from her job as a bank teller at the old Bank of Idaho downtown, or perhaps as the secretary for dentist, Dr. Smith. Shortly after arriving in Bonners Ferry, Irene met the love of her life. She had married the love of her life for her time on earth, but met the love of her life for eternity when she came to know Jesus Christ.

She was never much interested in gardening, cooking, or sewing. Her passion was getting to know Christ, more. Her collection of books, cassette tapes, research material, long hours spent in prayer, and faithful church attendance are testimony to the depth of relationship that grew over the years. Irene is preceded in death by her mother and father; brother, Claude; sister Doris; husband Leonard; and grandson Christopher.

She is survived by daughters Diana West of Long Beach, Calif., Linda Bassett of Post Falls; son Chris Clark of Bonners Ferry;son-in-law Bob Bassett, and daughter-in-law Larrie Clark (Hoglan); She has nine living grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Irene was devoted to her “sweetheart” husband until his passing after 63 years of marriage. She loved her children, her grand and great-grandchildren. She was gentle, quiet, and full of peace.

She lived in her own home alone after Leonard’s death. After her last illness it became clear she could no longer live alone, she chose to move onto her eternal home for a sweet reunion with her “sweethearts.”