Blanche Clark

Blanche M. Clark age 85 of Paola, passed away Tuesday March 4, at the Louisburg Care Center Funeral Service will be Sat March 8th at 2:00PM Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel with visitation 6 to 8 PM Friday, Burial Paola Cemetery, memorials may be made to the Lighthouse Presbyterian Mission Fund or the Elementary Teachers Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home, 305 N. Pearl Paola Kansas 66071. To leave condolences for the family go to Penwell-Gabel.com. Blanche was born November 8, 1922 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to A.M. and Brita Opdahl Larson and was the oldest of three daughters. She graduated from Beltrami high School in Beltrami Minn. and received her Bachelors degree from Moorhead, MN.. State Teachers College. At the age of 70 she received her Masters in Special Education from the University of Kansas. She was united in marriage to Marvin Clark Jan. 14, 1945 at the Beltrami Trinity Lutheran Church in Beltrami Minn. They moved to Paola in 1947. They lived on a farm for awhile and she enjoyed painting and raising calves. She remained very active in her church and community until recently. Through the years she was a Den Mother in Cub Scouts, Girl Scout Troop Leader, room mother, and Pioneer Club Leader. Blanche held many positions in her church including serving on the session and nominating committee. She taught early childhood education as a 1st grade teacher at the North School, started preschool at Lakemary, and taught Special Ed in the Paola School District. She loved teaching children to read and always met the challenge. One of her big accomplishments was serving on the committee to build the Paola Swimming Pool. She was very pleased with the support for the pool and worked hard to make sure it was built to meet the needs of families in the region. Blanche believed everyone should learn to swim. Preceding her in death were her parents and sister Bulah Faye Larson. Survivors are her husband Marvin of the home, son John R and wife Jeannette Clark of Louisburg, daughter Betsy and husband Scott Murray of Denver Colorado, daughter, Donna and husband Tom Howard of Chaney, Kansas, daughter Retta and husband Lon Huston of Cheyenne, Wy.,10 grandchildren , 7 great grandchildren, and sister, Barbara Thompson of Fosston, MN.