CLARK, Karen Rose (HAVERLY)

CLARK, HAVERLY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 7/9/2018 at 05:19:06

Obituary ~ Karen Rose (Haverly) Clark

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Sunday, May 20, 2018

MASON CITY – Karen R. Clark, 72, of Mason City, died Thursday (May 17, 2018) at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa in Mason City.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday (May 22, 2018) at Epiphany Parish – Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Austin Wilker, Celebrant. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held Monday evening (May 21, 2018) at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, from 5 pm until 7 pm. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass at the church on Tuesday morning.

Karen Rose Clark was an award winning local artist, community event planner, and longtime entertainer, performing with “The Clark Family.”

Karen Rose Clark was adopted by James and Rose Haverly in Wesley, IA in 1949 from an Iowa orphanage and was baptized Karen Rose Haverly. Mrs. Clark celebrated her birthdate as April 9, 1946. Mrs. Clark attended Catholic grade school in Wesley and Algona Bishop Garrigan High School until 1963. Mrs. Clark transferred to Corwith-Wesley where she graduated in 1964. Mrs. Clark then attended Hamilton Business College following graduation.

In 1967 she met musician and farmer, Ellsworth F. Clark of Sheffield, at a dance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA. After a courtship Karen Rose Clark married Ellsworth F. Clark on April 25, 1968 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley, IA. Together they moved to the Clark family farm and joined the family band where she would spend the next 5 decades singing, calling square dances, teaching dance lessons, and playing the piano. Mrs. Clark worked with many musicians throughout the Midwest and recorded in Nashville, TN.

Mrs. Clark was honored by the Yankton, SD Fiddle Contest and the National Old Time Country Music Association as Accompanist of the year for her work on piano. Mrs. Clark was a longtime member of the Mason City Musician's Union and served on the executive board and was the last Secretary/Treasurer. Mrs. Clark was elected to serve on the North Iowa Area District Labor Counsel, where she was honored on January 23, 1992 for a lifetime of honorary service. Along with her lifetime on the bandstand, Mrs. Clark was a celebrated North Iowa Artist, working in pastels, oils, and watercolors. Mrs. Clark was a founding member of the North Iowa Artist's League, and an avid supporter of Iowa Artists.

From 1971-1995 Mrs. Clark had dozens of works honored by local art exhibits, the McNider Museum, and traveling Iowa shows.

Mrs. Clark spent decades involved in community and charitable work. Mrs. Clark was a member of the You Go I Go Ladies Club, Sheffield, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rockwell, and Holy Family Catholic Church, Mason City, where she served many years in the Ladies' Guild.

Karen Rose Clark was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rose Haverly, Wesley, IA; and a son, Jason Keith Clark, Mason City.

Mrs. Clark is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ellsworth F. Clark, Mason City; a son, James C. Clark, Nashville, TN; brother, Keith Haverly, Phoenix, AZ; and many favored nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces.

Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, 126 3rd ST. NE, Mason City. (641)423-2372. ColonialChapels.com

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2018

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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