Services for H. Jean Clark of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Spencer, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.
Jean died on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at Good Samaritan Center. Harriet Jean Clark was born March 17, 1921, in Mitchell, S.D., to Ross and Mabel Clark. She moved to the Jackson area when she was 4 years old, and became a permanent resident of Albert Lea in 1956.
Jean graduated from high school in Jackson and went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Mankato State University. Jean chose teaching as her profession, and taught elementary school in Comfrey, St. James and Albert Lea. She retired from District 241 in Albert Lea on May 31, 1983.
While teaching was Jean’s career, her passion was the church. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea and her volunteer activities included Secretary of Trinity Lutheran Church Women, Circle Bible study leader and lay reader. She was also the pianist for Trinity Lutheran-sponsored communion services at local nursing homes.
Jean was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Honorary Society for Women Educators. She also served on the Albert Lea Civic Music Association Board, the Friends of the Library Board, and the Church Women United Board. In addition, Jean was a volunteer reader for the Albert Lea Community Child Care Center.
Jean received the local Delta Kappa Gamma Women of Achievement Award in 1991, and the Albert Lea Education Association Outstanding Teacher Award in 1970.
Jean had one sibling, her sister Elizabeth Clark Hagge (deceased).
She is survived by her three nephews, Michael Hagge, Duluth, Timothy Hagge, Portland, Ore., and Patrick Hagge, Fort Collins, Colo.; and seven grand-nephews/nieces, Nathan, Mara, Alex, Joshua, Jennifer, Thomas and Tyler.
Jean cherished her friends and family, and delighted in the outings, gatherings, and special occasions spent with them. Her faith, commitment, compassion and dedication will live on in all of those who knew and loved her.
She will be remembered for the joy she brought to people’s hearts, especially those who knew her as “Auntie Jean.”