Helen Marie Clark

Helen Marie Clark, age 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep, November 3, 2016, in Smyrna, Tennessee, after enjoying one of her favorite foods, a bowl of ice cream. Helen left this world to join her husband Harry to explore heaven together. Helen Marie James was born March 12, 1929, at the family home, rural Bogue, Kansas, to Bert Lloyd James and Clara Ellen (Kling) James. Helen was a longtime resident of Hill City, Kansas, graduating from Hill City High School. Helen and Harry Ray Clark were joined in marriage in Hill City, April 24, 1948. Being a dairy farmer’s wife, Helen worked tirelessly milking the cows. She also worked at the telephone company as a switch board operator, and the United States Postal Service as a part time flexible clerk and carrier. She also served as an officer in charge at the Logan Post Office. After retiring from the Post Office, Helen felt the itch of restlessness and began working at the Graham County Hospital as a cook and went into retirement again. During her “retirement” years, she continued to work with the Meals on Wheels program and delivered flowers. Helen was a 4-H Leader, and served on Election Boards as well as providing transportation for others to doctor visits. She was a member of the Baptist Church, TOPS, the Silver-haired Legislature and attended water aerobics faithfully. Helen enjoyed dancing, especially square dancing, sewing and quilting, jigsaw puzzles and playing games. The grandchildren will always remember her signature phrase, “Shootly-doot,” which was often blurted out during a riveting game of Mexican Train Dominoes. She was an avid reader and loved attending book club meetings. Helen could often be found working outdoors, meticulously tending her beautiful flowers and vegetable plants. When Helen was 84, she accompanied her daughter Mary Ann and family to South Carolina. Helen was so excited as this was the first time she ever saw an ocean. She was truly in awe of the Atlantic! Helen was beautiful, energetic and funny. She was a wonderful person, who will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Helen was preceded in death by husband, Harry; her brother Lloyd James; two sisters: Mary Knoll and Edna Clark, and son-in-law, Ernie Kilpatrick. Left to mourn her passing are three daughters: Mary Ann Kilpatrick of Smyrna, Tennessee; Raidene Hernandez, and husband Jerry of Denver, Colorado, Connie Dombroski, and husband Robert, of Hill City, Kansas; 13 grandchildren: Elaine Sparks, Michelle Riley, Jeremiah Kilpatrick, Paula Nylander, Shelby Zahn, Tanner Zahn, Javier Hernandez, Matt Hernandez, Beau Hernandez, Jessie Thompson, Lacey Runge, Trenton Dombroski, and Travis Carswell; 23 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.