Clark, Marcella E.

Marcella E. Clark was born to Elizabeth (Kadera) and Bert Brannaman on Jan. 1, 1919, near Sutliff, Iowa. She passed away July 4, 2013, at the Hallmark care facility. Visitation will be at the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church from 2 until 5 p.m. Sunday, July 7. A celebration of life will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 8, at the church by Pastor Becky High. Family burial: Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Jacob; infant son, Dennis; her parents; three brothers, Raymond (Betty), John and Archie Brannaman; and a sister, Eva (Neal) Swenson. Also predeceasing Marcella were her husband's family, Ross and Laura Clark, Wayne and Iolene Clark, Gene and Ann Clark, Don Reilly, and David Keith.

She is survived by seven sons, Keith (Jo) Clark, Douglas (Theresa) Clark, Kenneth (Jody) Clark, Merle (Sheryle) Clark and Gary Clark, all of Mount Vernon, Richard Clark of Las Vegas and Steven (Mary) Clark of Solon; and six daughters, Mrytle (William) Bowers, Donna (Gary) Ulch and Denise (Warren) Havill, all of Mount Vernon, Marcia (Danny) Kimm and Debra (Jeffrey) Bridgewater of Blairstown and Donita (John) VanHamme of Victor.

Also surviving are 34 grandchildren: William Jr., Kristin, Michael, Kelly, Jennifer, Kathy, William, Jeffrey, Mark, Kevin, Jay, Deanna, Stephanie, Samantha, Meagan, Kerri, Ty, Jason, Josh, Jamey, Amy, Jake, Jessica, Tracy, Kimberly, Jennifer, Becca, Benjamin, Kadera, Gretchen, Mackenzie, Nathan, Natasha and Nicholas; 53 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Louis Brannaman of Davis, Calif., and Donald (Rita) Brannaman of Solon; sister-in-law, Mary Brannaman of Sutliff; and many loved nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Irvin (Louise) Clark, Margaret Reilly, Howard (Sharon) Clark, and special sister-in-law, Bonnie Keith.

Marcella spent her grammar school years in Black Oak Grove Country School near Sutliff. She attended Lisbon High School, where she played rover for the basketball team. She married Jacob Henry Clark on June 1, 1938, in Mount Vernon. They raised their 14 children in The Stone House south of Mount Vernon before moving to a home along the old Lincoln Highway in 1978.

Marcella enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking and had a passionate love for quilting.

She was a devoted mother, aunt and sister. She and Jake spent many hours at their cabin along the Cedar River and in their home welcoming family friends and neighbors to their table.

Marcella worked at the Beacon Cafe, Lisbon; Kruse Bowling Alley, Mount Vernon, and retired after many years of service from the Mount Vernon Community Schools. After retirement she enjoyed camping with “The Golden Girls.”

Marcella's greatest love was her family!

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marcella's honor may be directed to the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, Mount Vernon Community School Foundation, St. Luke's Hospice or to the family for a Sutliff Bridge Memorial.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.morganfuneralchoices.com.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hallmark Care Center and St. Luke's Hospice.

Published July 5, 2013 in The Gazette