Deell Eunice Clark

COOLIDGE - DeEll Eunice Clark, 92, died on Feb. 29, 2016.

Ms. Clark was born on Sept. 14, 1923, to Edwin and Stena Haugen and grew up on the family farm near Rapid City, South Dakota. A talented musician, she played the piano by ear as she, her father, brother and a neighbor entertained neighbors and traveling politicians alike as a band and turned their front porch into a stage and the yard into a dance floor. As an adult, she and two sisters moved to California to work and help in the war effort during World War II. There she met and married Warren Clark. They had some dry cleaning businesses in Santa Monica and later Big Bear, California.

After caring for her elderly mother in San Diego, she moved to Portola, California, to open a successful small business on her own, doing tailoring and dry cleaning. She was a master seamstress and made beautiful clothing, including men’s suits.

In her later years she moved to Coolidge to be closer to her sisters, Lila, Lucille and Eilene. As their health failed, they moved away and she remained. She was befriended by Marta Ashford and her large, extended family and became an honorary aunt to them. She was a true artisan, creating beautiful crocheted and knitted items for family and friends. She enjoyed her cat, Bella.

She is survived by a sister, Lucille Lonnecker, and many nieces and nephews.

Interment will be at 11 a.m. next Tuesday in Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City, near her parents.

Donations may be made to Valley Humane Society.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Mountain View Chapel is in charge of arrangements.